You would think with that investment from the Beach, its voters would be allowed to participate in the referendum being pushed for this summer. Forget about it.

It's as if the government just believes the taxpayers and voters in Miami-Dade are daft. Is there any way else to explain this latest financing scheme to fund a new baseball stadium in downtown Miami?

Not since Miami-Dade government leaders and their allies tried to snooker taxpayers and voters into approving last year's so-called "Penny Tax" referendum, which if it had passed, would have increased the sales tax across the board by a whopping 15%. The voters were smart on that snooker and voted it down big time.
Now the same cast of characters is at it again. This time, not for some carrot being dangled under the guise of a "penny" for "transportation," but to just simply "help" a "rich" team owner finance a new baseball stadium. And the plan goes even further than just the sales tax: this time right into the heart and soul of residents and businesses. Would you believe that they want Miami taxpayers to vote their hard-earned property taxes over to a wealthy, private interest?

The lesson learned after losing the last referendum was to keep the next one from being a countywide vote. The smaller the group of voters, the better the chances to have it approved, thus the push to have the election in July or August, when the largest number of voters may be on holiday or vacation.

County and City of Miami leaders are now pushing a financing plan that would hand over $148 million property tax dollars to the millionaire, with a scheme to extend and refinance Miami's current $17 million bond debt. And this on top of a 20% parking tax for another 40 years on individuals who drive to Miami for work, shopping and business.

But it isn't just the residents of Miami who are affected. The Miami-Dade County Commission has also promised $118 million in future tourist taxes assessed on hotel rooms throughout the county. Nearly half of those tourist tax dollars, about $50 million, is anticipated to be generated and collected in Miami Beach. You would think with that investment from the Beach, its voters would be allowed to participate in the referendum being pushed for this summer. Forget about it. The stadium's pushers learned from the penny tax defeat that you just have to keep the election as small as possible.And what about all of those countywide workers and shoppers who drive to and park in Miami? Shouldn't they be given an opportunity to vote on whether a new baseball stadium should be financed in part by a 40-year extension of the parking tax?

It's bad enough that the mayors of Miami-Dade, Miami and Miami Beach are all pushing for this financing scheme, but it's even worse that they are doing it without giving all of the voters and taxpayers within their jurisdictions the opportunity to express their sentiment at the ballot box. The most recent countywide survey showed 85% of the voters are opposed to subsidizing a stadium.
In their promotion of this financing scheme, the three mayors like to say that this stadium is a very important project to all of the citizens of Miami-Dade. Okay. Then why not let all of the taxpayers and voters of the county have the opportunity to participate in the election? Why just in Miami?

The answer is as simple as it is sad. In a small election, government will target the poorest economic areas of the city with a campaign of promises and great hope. The poorest of voters will be led to the polls. Apparently, stadium supporters see this as the best chance to subsidize a millionaire with public dollars.

Message From The Fraternal Order of Police

By Bernie Ruder
President
Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8

We believe that decisions were made based on budgetary issues, not on the needs of the community. These decisions endangered the public, compromised officer safety, and left the men and women of the Miami Beach Police Department unequipped to properly deal with the crowds.

The Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is deeply concerned with the events of the Memorial Day weekend and the subsequent controversy that has surrounded them.
We understand that the comments from some individuals in the community have been construed racial in character. We express no opinion as to whether the comments were racial. We do want to assure the community that as far as the FOP is concerned, all law -abiding citizens are welcome to our city.

The Miami Beach Police Department is composed of a diverse group of men and women. If we did not enjoy diversity, we would not be here. Along with being a wonderful residential community, we understand that Miami Beach is also a popular tourist destination and we gladly welcome all visitors regardless of race, nationality, age, religion or sexual orientation.

We believe that the City of Miami Beach did not properly plan for this event. We believe that decisions were made based on budgetary issues, not on the needs of the community. These decisions endangered the public, compromised officer safety, and left the men and women of the Miami Beach Police Department unequipped to properly deal with the crowds. We call on the entire community to take steps to assure that this never happens again.
We are proud of the actions of the police officers who were on the street. They worked long hours under very difficult conditions. The majority of our guests were law-abiding and it is unfortunate that the actions of those bent on breaking the law and making trouble have tarnished the many who came to our fair City to enjoy the weekend and play by the rules.

If somebody is breaking the law, it makes no difference to any of us the race of that person. We will make an arrest. It is our solemn duty to do so.