Conexion Miami / What is Frank Artiles afraid of?
When looking for strangeness and weird laws, you come to Florida. Case in point is a new “bill, already approved by two House committees, [that] limits people to using the bathroom of their biological sex at birth, with a few exceptions. It states that anyone who enters the wrong public bathroom would be guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $500 and 60 days in jail.” Rep. Frank Artiles, a Miami republican, presented the law. Artiles does not seem to like gay and transgender individuals. Artiles said he filed the bill to counteract a Miami-Dade ordinance that added gender identity and gender expression to the county’s list of classes protected against discrimination.
GOP prefers Bush to Rubio
David Johnson, a longtime GOP operative and interim executive director of the state GOP, was quoted in the New York Times in the potential conflict that a Jeb vs. Marco presidential primary might cause. Johnson, in his official role as the party’s top staffer, gave an unofficial nod to Bush’s candidacy on the record, telling the NYT that a Rubio 2016 run would be a problem in the Sunshine State. “I hope that is not going to happen,” Johnson said of a potential Rubio run for the White House. “It’s going to cause a lot of problems in the state of Florida.” He went on to call Rubio “a young man that has a lot of potential.”
Gambling in Florida
This is an important week for gambling, and its interests, in Florida. On Thursday a House panel will hold a workshop in Tallahassee that will delve into major issues in Florida’s gambling industry, including the future of a deal with the Seminole Tribe. The discussion will include changes such as allowing two Las Vegas-style casinos in South Florida.
Cason team refuses TV debate
Last week we reported that Coral Gables Mayor James Cason “could hardly put together a coherent sentence” during his first debate with challenger Ralph Cabrera. Cason, who held the post of principal officer in the U.S. Interests Section in Havana from 2002-2005, first said yes to a WPLG Channel 10 debate hosted by Michael Putney. His campaign manager thought differently and answered NO. Those in the know say that Cason’s campaign team did not want the world to see his lackluster brilliance on TV…
Rubio and Braman’s millions
We are unhappy to report that Miami auto magnate Norman Braman, the billionaire philanthropist who four years ago orchestrated the ouster of Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Alvarez, “plans to bet big on Rubio as the Republican senator prepares for a 2016 presidential run. Braman won’t say how much he could donate to Rubio’s likely campaign, but the number is said to be around $10 million,” the Miami Herald reported last week.
Videos that we can’t see
Associated Press reported that state legislators are pushing to make it much harder to release police officer body camera videos, undermining their promise as a tool people can use to hold law enforcement accountable. Lawmakers in at least 15 states (including Florida) have introduced bills to exempt video recordings of police encounters with citizens from state public records laws, or to limit what can be made public. “It undercuts the whole purpose of the cameras,” said Michelle Richardson, public policy director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
No climate planning=No FEMA money
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is making it tougher for governors to deny man-made climate change. Are you listening Florida Gov. Scott? Starting next year, the agency will approve disaster preparedness funds only for states whose governors approve hazard mitigation plans that address climate change. On March 8, the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting said Scott instituted an unwritten ban on the use of “climate change” or “global warming” by Florida officials.
New citizens will celebrate Miami Beach’s 100
On Wednesday, March 25, 2015, USCIS will hold a special citizenship ceremony in South Beach as part of the celebrations included in Miami Beach’s centennial celebration. At this event a group of 100 Miami area residents will become America’s newest citizens. In attendance will be the Director of USCIS, Leon Rodriguez, a native of Miami Beach and the son of Cuban immigrants. The ceremony will start at 10 a.m. and will be held on Ocean Drive and 8 Street in Miami Beach.
Animal lovers
Are you an animal lover? Then this is for you. “Animals/Confronting Cruelty: Miami” is a benefit to help support the rescue, care, placement and re-homing of thousands of animals every year—across the country and in our own South Florida neighborhoods. If you are interested check out their Facebook page here. The event will take place on Friday, March 27, at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Hotel, 9703 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour.
LEED Gold Rating for PAMM
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) received a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Rating for its innovative and sustainable design, use of local and recycled materials, and location with access to public transportation. The state-of-the-art facility, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, opened in downtown Miami’s Museum Park in December 2013. The U.S. Green Building Council issued the award.
More than 25% of Miami homes “underwater”
More than 27 percent of all mortgaged homes in Miami-Dade were “underwater” as of the fourth quarter in 2014,CoreLogic reported. That’s 122,963 residential property owners who owe more than the property is worth. It’s not all bad news, though: the percentage of South Florida homes underwater decreased year-over-year from 33.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 to 27.5 percent at year-end 2014.
LeBron lowers price on Miami home for sale
News for people who care about these things… LeBron James’ old Coconut Grove castle has just gotten $2 million more affordable, after about five months on the market. The six bedroom, 8.5 bath walled, waterfront compound hasn’t seen much action on the market since it was originally listed for $17 million last October, prompting James to adjust it. The new $15 million price is still well above the $9 million he paid for it in 2010.
Obamacare number one in Florida
Five years from the signing of the Affordable Care Act, HHS is announcing that about 16.4 million uninsured people have gained health coverage since the law’s passage – the largest change in the uninsured in four decades. Florida led all states with more than 1.6 million people enrolled. With 756,137 people signing up, Miami led all other metro areas under Healthcare.Gov in enrollment, more than double the next-highest region, Atlanta.
Florida’s presidential primary set
Republicans in the Legislature championed HB 7035 — which will make the presidential primary March 15, 2016 — after their national party penalized the state for early primaries in 2008 and 2012. The later date will allow Florida’s primary to be winner-take-all, putting significant support behind whoever wins next year.
Service dog posers
A Florida House bill (HB 71) would punish service dog posers and protect the disabled who have invisible wounds passed its final committee stop last week by a unanimous vote. Under the bill penalties would apply to pet owners who lie about having a disability and falsely claim that their pet is a service animal. The “service dog” excuse is used by persons who want to have a dog, for example, in condominium buildings which do not allow pets.
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