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Miami-Dade County with the Government at it's Worst

Fred Thompson on the Economy---Check it out!!

Florida Consumer E-Alerts - New Phishing Scam

State's jobless may miss out on extended benefits - July 23, 2010 - The federal government on Thursday finalized an extension of unemployment benefits that will bring welcome relief to millions of the struggling jobless. But not, at least for now, if they live in the Sunshine State.

Know This Guy? Call Police !!!!!

A man suspected in a number of distraction robberies was caught on camera at a Bank of America branch in south Miami-Dade.

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Miami-Dade officials seek national task force on mortgage fraud - February 26. 2009 - Miami-Dade officials made the rounds of Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, pushing for the creation of a nationwide mortgage fraud task force modeled after the county's effort.

Another lawsuit in attempt to halt new Marlins stadium - February 26. 2009 - Contending leaders made decisions secretly, a pair of activists has urged a judge to stop votes on a Florida Marlins stadium.

Miami-Dade, Broward transit officials compile stimulus wish lists - February 20. 2009 - Elected officials in Miami-Dade and Broward will battle over limited amounts of transportation money from the federal stimulus package.

Miami-Dade reschedules Marlins stadium vote - February 20. 2009 - Miami-Dade commissioners postponed a vote on a new Marlins baseball stadium for a few days, citing schedule conflicts.

Miami, county commissioners seek pay freeze at the top - February 19. 2009 - City and county commissioners are asking for salary cuts to top-tier positions as local governments tighten their belts with budget cuts on the way.

Hopes for Hollo Park on Brickell's bayfront are out with the tide - February 19. 2009 -  Plans to build a temporary park on Brickell's last prime bayfront parcel are all but dead.

State of Real Estate: Home values likely won't rebound until mid-2010 - February 19. 2009 -  Despite a spike in sales in South Florida, the area probably won't see a bottoming out of single-family home prices until mid-2010, says Brad Hunter, chief economist with West Palm Beach-based Metrostudy.

Coconut Grove hotels catch big break on business improvement district assessment dues - February 19. 2009 -  Coconut Grove's hotels got a big break on their assessment dues at the approval hearing for the long-awaited Coconut Grove.

Marlins keep hope alive with March return to city hall - February 19. 2009 - The Marlins are getting another turn at bat in their bid to gain several hundred million dollars in public funding for a new stadium.

Marlins Stadium bid rules posing new hurdle - February 19. 2009 - A stadium deal for the Florida Marlins could return to square one if two city commissioners keep a pledge to reject waiving competitive bidding for infrastructure work for the ballpark.

Marlins keep hope alive with March return to city hall - February 19. 2009 - The Marlins are getting another turn at bat in their bid to gain several hundred million dollars in public funding for a new stadium.

Latest 'phishing' scam lures you with tax return - February 19. 2009 - Cyber-thieves' e-mail looks like it's from the IRS, but it's a rip-off

Beware Of Latest Scheme Targeting Social Networking Sites - February 4. 2009 - Friends of Bryan Rutberg were alarmed to hear Bryan was in trouble overseas recently, and one sent money to help out

Fewer new homes in Miami-Dade, Broward - February 4, 2009 - New home construction plunged in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in the fourth quarter, according to numbers from Metrostudy, a real estate consultancy.

Macy's eliminates all 600 jobs at Miami office - February 3, 2009 - Macy's is eliminating all 600 jobs at its regional headquarters in downtown Miami, part of a major corporate reorganization that includes cutting 7,000 jobs nationwide.

Entrepreneurs' conference coming Feb. 26 - February 2. 2009 - About this time last year, economic troubles were on the wind. But few imagined the ferociousness of the financial tsunami that hit world markets last fall.

Tax revenue for Florida Marlins stadium falling short? - February 1, 2009 - Miami-Dade counts on future boom tourism years to pay for a $609 million stadium. Declining hotel-tax revenue will test that optimism.

Dade School Board considers freeze on worker raises to meet budget cuts - January 31, 2009 - Miami-Dade School Board members took a tentative vote to delay the raises promised to teachers and other employees.

Magistrate backs Miami-Dade school district decision to deny teacher raises - January 30, 2009 - The Miami-Dade school district should not have to give teachers the raises guaranteed in their contract, a special magistrate said. The final decision is up to the School Board.

Miami-Dade OKs first road impact fee hike in 15 years - January 29, 2009 - Miami-Dade County's road impact fees are to rise for the first time in 15 years after commissioners approved a hike last week, some torn over whether developers can handle added costs in an already-strained economy.

Miami, county could clash over ethics code updates - January 29, 2009 - While the City of Miami is working to loosen up its code of ethics, Miami-Dade County has plans to adopt stricter standards, which could create an unanticipated conflict.

Adrienne Arsht Center set to make broad reach for donors - January 29, 2009 - The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is taking a page out of President Obama's playbook and reaching out to every member of the community for support.

Miami Downtown Development Authority officials slam city's ethics code as too wide-sweeping - January 29, 2009 - Miami's stringent ethics code has generated criticism from Downtown Development Authority officials, who say the code's rules for board members cast a wide net.

Some Miami-Dade commissioners fear negative result if impact fee moratorium proposal comes to fruition - January 29, 2009 - Outlawing localities from collecting impact fees for the next three years could help keep Florida's economy moving during the recession, the state senator proposing the ban says.

Marlins stadium agreements include escape clauses for all parties - January 29, 2009 - Miami-Dade County, Miami and the Florida Marlins are ready to play ball, with overdue baseball stadium agreements ready for commissions' votes next month. Still, until June 30 all players could pull out essentially penalty free.

Dade manager says new Marlins stadium deal sweetens county pot - January 29, 2009 - Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami and the Florida Marlins have agreed upon five contracts that, with commissioners' approval, would seal the deal for a new retractable-roof ballpark.

At town hall meeting, Wasserman Shultz fields questions about stimulus plan - January 29, 2009 - U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat, fielded questions about the $819 billion economic stimulus plan at a Miami Beach meeting.

Florida International Business Expo offers a global platform - January 29, 2009 - The Florida International Business Expo has attracted dozens of smaller businesses with networking possibilities and minimal booth fees.

New rules raise the bar for condo mortgages in Florida - January 24, 2009 - In a move that will make it even more difficult to qualify for a condo loan, Fannie Mae is putting a host of new conditions on mortgages for condominiums in Florida.

Florida job offices feel the squeeze, too - January 23, 2009 - Applying for unemployment benefits in Florida can't be done in person. Either go online, or do it by phone and wait.

President Obama makes his way to new office - January 20, 2009 - Inaugural parade heads to White House, celebrating first black U.S. leader

County lacks forces like those exposing Miami-Dade corruption - January 18, 2009 - MIAMI — In Miami-Dade County they call it the OIG.

Manny Diaz leads nation's mayors pushing for aid to cities - January 17, 2009 - WASHINGTON -- Led by Miami's Manny Diaz, mayors past and present from Boston to Seattle on Saturday hailed a proposed national economic stimulus package -- but said it should include direct aid to cities.

Miami 21 zoning code could come into effect this year - January 15, 2009 - This could be the year for Miami 21. The proposed new zoning code dubbed Miami 21, unveiled almost four years ago, could become the law of the land in 2009.

Two dozen staffers added to aid lacking Miami-Dade 311 information line - January 15, 2009 - In recent months, Miami-Dade County's 311 information line has been lacking in services provided to City of Miami residents under a five-year-old agreement, audits show.

Countywide economic summit set for Feb. 2 - January 15, 2009 - A countywide economic summit is set for Feb. 2, a few months after area business development leaders first called for the gathering at the beginning of November.

Dade pares down stimulus project list by half, but cost of requests quadruples - January 15, 2009 - The 400-plus item list of potential economic stimulus projects Miami-Dade County whipped up late last year has been nearly halved to 215 requests.

Some Miami-Dade commissioners dissatisfied, 'disappointed' with meetings on Marlins Stadium agreements - January 15, 2009 - A vote on pending Marlins ballpark agreements expected this month could be pushed to February.

Dade prioritizes: Mayor Alvarez targets 11 pages of projects worth $7.2 billion - January 15, 2009 - Metrorail extensions, a tunnel to the Port of Miami and a new detention center top Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez's list of projects for federal economic stimulus funds.

Miami-Dade School Board no longer bickering at meetings - January 14, 2009 - Six months ago, community leaders compared Miami-Dade School Board meetings to a circus.

I-Team: You Pay, Miami-Dade Commission Spends - January 13, 2009 - As the slumping economy drives most people to cut costs, the CBS 4 I-Team learned lawmakers aren't doing the same with your tax dollars.

Bad Economic News May Ease S. Florida Gas Prices - January 10, 2009 - A Friday drop in the price of a barrel of crude oil caused some South Florida gasoline dealers to back down on price increases which hit as much as 20 cents in the past week, with some prices rising as much as 10 cents in a day.

Miami-Dade schools' finances draw state scrutiny - January 5, 2009 - The Miami-Dade school district has increased its reserves, but additional budget cuts are likely needed, meaning more layoffs and program cuts.

Union Credit Bank hopes to boost lending - January 5, 2009 - An old adage goes ''You can never be too rich or too thin.'' For banks these days, the saying might well be: ``You can never have too much capital.''

Miami-Dade applies new state law aimed at cutting taxes inflated by mortgage fraud - January 1, 2009 - In compliance with a new Florida law, the Miami-Dade property appraiser's office is reexamining tax assessments that may have been inflated by fraudulent home sales.

Don't celebrate New Year's Eve with gunfire, Miami-Dade leaders urge - December 30, 2008 -  Miami-Dade Commissioner Audrey M. Edmonson will join other community leaders at a news conference Wednesday morning in Miami to urge local residents not to shoot guns into the air to celebrate on New Year's Eve.

Rustic filming locale Jimbo's Place 'should not be affected' by Virginia Key plan - December 30, 2008 - The local film community, stressed already by deep slashes to the state's film incentive budget, can rest easy about losing one of its most popular shooting locations, a city official says.

Senate bill could set new deadline for final Marlins stadium deal - December 30, 2008 -   Miami-Dade voters could get a chance to weigh in on a planned Marlins stadium if local governments and the team don't ink final deals before summer.

Miami fire fee settlement checks are out, but only for 25 percent - December 30, 2008 -   Miami fire fee payers are getting back 25 cents of each dollar the City of Miami illegally charged them — and a little more may follow.

Stop Being Stupid - December 27, 2008 - I’ve got a new year’s resolution and a new slogan for the country.

States slash Medicaid amid economic woes - December 26, 2008 - States from Rhode Island to California are being forced to curtail Medicaid, the government health insurance program for the poor, as they struggle to cope with the deteriorating economy.

Condo bust may mean more parks for Miami - December 25, 2008 - With the economy stalling any short-term development plans, Miami hopes to turn vacant properties into temporary city parks.

Miami-Dade poor defendants face court delays - December 25, 2008 - Miami-Dade's poor defendants will face longer court delays in most cases, as the public defender tries to cope with high caseloads and shrinking budgets.

Refinance rates low; few qualify - December 25, 2008 - Interest rates may have reached their lowest level in nearly 40 years, but that doesn't necessarily spell relief for South Florida's struggling homeowners.

Hialeah Park to get lift from City Council - December 23, 2008 - Hialeah officials hope their support of low-stakes horse racing will put the historic Hialeah Park on the fast track for reopening.

Miami-Dade schools chief Alberto Carvalho off to strong start - December 21, 2008 - Since taking over Miami-Dade public schools, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has focused on stabilizing the budget, boosting achievement and long-struggling schools.

Lawmakers cash in with campus jobs - December 21, 2008 - Former and current lawmakers are finding employment at community colleges and state universities, even in times of cutbacks and curbs on enrollment.

Transit hires after tax hike included the well-connected - December 21, 2008 - Aides and secretaries to current and former public officials found new jobs at the transit agency after voters backed a sales tax for transportation in 2002.

Tax money inflated salaries, overtime - December 21, 2008 - It was Nov. 1, 2002, four days before a historic election aimed at reshaping the transit landscape in Miami-Dade County, and a backroom deal was quietly being cemented at County Hall.

Unemployment rises - December 20, 2008 - Unemployment is increasing in Florida, but Broward and Miami-Dade are better off than many other parts of the state.

Miami-Dade Transit surtax funds a step closer to being rerouted to budget - December 19, 2008 - Revenue from a tax voters agreed to self impose to fund new transportation projects could soon be rerouted to patch holes in Miami-Dade Transit's budget.

Miami vigil honors the memory of 121 dead homeless people - December 19, 2008 - Several dozen people paid tribute to the 121 homeless people who died in Miami-Dade County in the past year.

Medicare scam draws another stiff sentence - December 19, 2008 - A central player in a vast Medicare racket received 14 years in prison after admitting he trained doctors to file false claims at a dozen clinics.

Beacon Council lures fewer companies, more investment to Miami-Dade - December 18, 2008 - Twenty-seven companies agreed to set up shop or expand in Miami-Dade this year with the help of the county's economic development arm & only four fewer businesses than last year despite a challenging economy.

Miami International Airport contractor found guilty of grand theft - December 18, 2008 - A Miami-Dade jury convicted a corporation and an individual, and found a second man innocent, after fuel was stolen from Miami International Airport.

Miami-Dade School Board lobbies Tallahassee over spending - December 18, 2008 - Miami-Dade's school board blitzed the state Capitol for two days asking legislators to spare classrooms from further cuts, but in tight budget times, was it enough?

Revival sought for tunnel plan - December 16, 2008 - Backers of a proposed Port of Miami tunnel are fighting to resurrect the project.

Top principal takes F school - December 16, 2008 - Miami Central High, a chronically failing school, is getting a new principal -- the state's best.

U.S. set to return housing agency - December 16, 2008 - As two new important department head positions were filled in Miami-Dade County, county leaders get ready to retake control of the Miami-Dade housing agency.

Battle Continues Over Miami-Dade Teachers' Raises - December 15, 2008 - Teachers, School Board Members Attend Mediation

Successful insanity defense stuns Miami-Dade attorneys - December 15, 2008 - A Miami-Dade jury reached an extremely rare verdict, finding a Miami man not guilty by reason of insanity of murdering his parents.

Gables Police Recover Officer's Stolen Vehicle - December 14, 2008 - CORAL GABLES, Fla. (CBS4) ― An unmarked police car used by a Coral Gables sergeant has been found day after it was stolen from a crime scene.

Number of foreclosure filings in Florida among nation's highest - December 13, 2008 - In November, Florida again had the nation's second-highest number of properties with foreclosure filings, RealtyTrac said in a report.

Port Of Miami Tunnel Plan Collapses - December 12, 2008 - MIAMI -- Plans to construct a tunnel under the Biscayne Bay have collapsed.

Developer Hollo leases bayfront land to Miami for $1 a year until markets rebound, park planned - December 11, 2008 - Amidst a steep downturn for builders, one upside is that a Miami developer is willing to lend Brickell's last prime bayfront parcel to the City of Miami for a park.

Miami's Diaz offers mayors' wish list to Obama - December 11, 2008 - From his post atop the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz has offered President-elect Barack Obama a Christmas wish list for the ages.

After Miami-Dade scandal, affordable housing finally in sight - December 11, 2008 - The long battle to replace torn-down affordable homes in Miami-Dade County's inner city nears an end.

Miami-Dade School Board votes to sue state over funding - December 11, 2008 - The Miami-Dade School Board will sue the state to make up funding it says it's not getting from local taxes.

I-Team: Money For Nothing - December 10, 2008 - Read the IA report that has been changed - Read Lt. Locke's response

3 comments: - Could this be County Commission Chair Bruno Barreiro fined $5,000 for disposing of dredge material illegally? Check it out by Clicking Here.

Miami-Dade lawmakers land key appointments - December 9, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE -- From controlling the state's purse strings to corralling Republicans, Miami-Dade's legislators have landed a few top spots in the state House and Senate that underscore South Florida's clout.

Fmr. MDPD Employee Accuses Investigators Of Running Errands On Taxpayer’s Dime - December 9, 2008 - A Miami-Dade police unit that checks out officer candidates has access to county cars and opportunities for overtime. But did some investigators abuse those resources with private time on the taxpayers' dime?

Special vote could have been dodged - December 8, 2008 - The battle for Miami-Dade's first elected property appraiser heats up with questions about the cost of the Dec. 16 runoff.

Miami-Dade makes lenders maintain vacant foreclosures - December 4, 2008 - Miami-Dade passed new local laws this week to rein in rot on abandoned homes and protect buyers.

Miami-Dade County OKs code rules on foreclosed homes - December 3, 2008 - Under new Miami-Dade County law, foreclosed homes will be subject to county code inspections and sellers required to disclose any violations — and cost estimates for fixing them — to potential buyers up front.

Miami-Dade Commissioners Hope To Ban Cell Phones In School Zones - December 3, 2008 - MIAMI -- Miami-Dade commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday to ban motorists from using wireless devices, including cell phones, while driving through school zones.

$30,000 Stolen From Miami-Dade County Parks Dept. - December 2, 2008 - MIAMI (CBS4) ― Whether kids and teens are cheering their hearts out for their team or taking one for the team, they and their parents agree, having nice, well-maintained parks is important. Parks across the city could use some extra money to clean them up. Some have dirty restrooms and scattered trash.

Councilman faces big fines - December 2, 2008 - A Bal Harbour councilman has been fined for failing to disclose income from renting out his co-op.

Two Miami officers plead guilty to drug charges - December 2, 2008 - Two veteran Miami police officers have pleaded guilty to drug-related charges.

Two more jump in Miami mayor's race - December 1, 2008 - Though still almost a year away, Miami's 2009 race for mayor is getting more crowded

Miamians Weigh In On City's Positives, Negatives - November 27, 2008 - MIAMI -- How closely connected do Miami residents feel to the soul of their community?

Dade property appraiser election runoff is on - November 26, 2008 - The Dec. 16 runoff for Miami-Dade County's new elected property appraiser post will go on as scheduled after a judge Tuesday tossed out a lawsuit filed by candidate Gwen Margolis.

Miam-Dade mayor pledges better working relationship with commissioners - November 23, 2008 - Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, sworn into his second term, vowed to reach out to county commissioners -- particularly on economic and transit issues.

Miami-Dade Commission picks Dennis Moss as new chairman - November 21, 2008 - A veteran county commissioner will soon become chairman. The post still carries power even under a strong mayor government.

Future county projects could be in jeopardy through use of zero coupon bonds, Dade Commissioner Gimenez - November 20, 2008 - Committing hundreds of millions of dollars in Miami-Dade County's convention development tax revenue to pay off completed projects years down the road could jeopardize future county endeavors,

Most general obligation bond projects running on time as county gears up for second issuance; members see results on first tour - November 20, 2008 - As Miami-Dade County gears up to make its second general obligation bond sale, about 94% of the projects from the first $266 million issuance are running on time, county officials say.

Miami-Dade could vote to ax 'cone of silence' this week, loosen rules on lobbying - November 20, 2008 - Miami-Dade County's "cone of silence" — a lobbyist control measure - could soon be kaput depending on a commission vote today (11/20).

Dade transit watchdog agency chief resigns, takes Super Bowl gig - November 19, 2008 - The leader of the group created by voters in 2002 to oversee the half-cent sales tax for Miami-Dade Transit is taking a new job.

Ross wins runoff for Pinecrest Village Council seat - November 18, 2008 - Bob Ross handily defeated Mike Guilford in Tuesday's runoff election for a seat on the Pinecrest Village Council.

Miami-Dade School Staff Face Additional Budget Cuts, May Lose Jobs - November 18, 2008 - Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is expected to unveil his plan to help balance the budget, but it may not be positive since the plan involves some big cuts that could include jobs. It’s been a long

Miami Dade County Taxpayer Survey: - November 17, 2008 - how dumb do they think we are? Very, apparently... by gimeleteye

Fire protection battle in limbo - November 17, 2008 - Hundreds of thousands of votes in Miami-Dade County remain in limbo as a legal battle over city rights makes its way through the courts.

Miami-Dade residents unload anger at public transit meeting - November 15, 2008 - More than 600 people gave up a sunny Saturday to talk about the shortcomings of the local transit system in spite of a half-cent sales tax that was supposed to build new rail lines to every corner of the county.

Miami Springs city council considers combining boards - November 14, 2008 - At Monday's city council meeting, Miami Springs officials approved the county's donation toward a new community center and discussed the pros and cons of combining advisory boards.

Federal grants to be used to buy up South Florida foreclosures - November 14, 2008 - South Florida governments are gearing up to spend more than $161 million in federal grant money to stimulate the housing market.

Miami-Dade leaders admit transit tax has failed - November 14, 2008 - Miami-Dade officials will publicly discuss how the 2002-approved transit tax failed to deliver its promises and what are the options left on the table.

Miami-Dade Commissioners Vote To Spend 3.5M For Runoff Election - November 14, 2008 - Miami-Dade commissioners voted Thursday to spend $3.5 million to hold a runoff election in the race for property appraiser.

Miami City Commission approves homeowner loans - November 14, 2008 - Miami commissioners launched a foreclosure prevention program, while also speeding up capital improvement projects to increase jobs.

In Kendall, Robaina talks about plan to help homeowner associations - Novembere 13, 2008 - As foreclosures slam homeowner associations in Miami-Dade, Florida state Rep. Julio Robaina spoke at Monday's KFHA meeting to promote increased government regulation.

Interim city manager takes reins in Coral Gables - November 13, 2008 - Interim City Manager Maria Alberro Jimenez will provide a smooth transition, city leaders say.

Miami-Dade County can't keep putting off principal payments, commissioners say - November 6, 2008 - Miami-Dade County can't continue piling debt on the backs of future taxpayers, some commissioners said at a Budget and Finance Committee meeting Tuesday.

Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust resists transit unification, proposes partial unification as compromise - November 6. 2008 - A move to mingle Miami-Dade transportation surtax revenues with general transit dollars is meeting resistance at the county's Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust, where some members insist the county must find a way to keep its promise to use the surtax to provide new transit service.

Miami-Dade County has acted prudently in the face of the economic downturn, Manager George Burgess says - Noverber 6, 2008 - Miami-Dade County has acted prudently in the face of the economic downturn, Manager George Burgess says.

Onslaught of dirty tricks as election day nears
In the final hours of the campaign, bogus fliers, e-mails and calls increase

Election Deception: The Web's 12 Dirtiest Tricks
If scammers have things their way -- with the help of a dozen sneaky ploys -- plenty of ballots will never make it to the boxes.

Miami-Dade County Education

On Miami-Dade County Questions/ Home Rule Charter Amendments