At the end of this year's 60-day legislative session, requests for cultural arts programs and historic preservation projects may have fallen by the wayside, but several Miami-Dade cities were still able to score state dollars for much needed infrastructure projects.
Those that fared the best included municipalities in South Miami-Dade County, which were able to get money tucked into the state's $66.2 billion budget mainly for storm water projects.
But all the allocations will come up against the possibility that they could be vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist, who must sign off on the budget by July 1.
In 2007, after combing through the budget, Crist nixed $24 million worth of projects earmarked for Dade municipalities.
''There is still the governor's veto to avoid -- and that may be tougher than getting the money in the first place,'' Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick said.
Homestead scored $1.29 million in appropriations; last year, the city got nothing. City Manager Mike Shehadeh attributed the success in securing funds to the Homestead's population growth, as well as face time with members of the Dade delegation.
Of the money Homestead expects to receive, $500,000 will go to support emergency operation centers in support of disaster relief efforts; $500,000 will pay for a flood control improvement project on Campbell Drive, a main traffic artery. Another $290,000 will go to the city's recycling program.
''Part of our success is being there, them knowing us. We went up there, and we worked,'' said Homestead Mayor Lynda Bell, who said she went to Tallahassee three times this session. ``We're very thankful and grateful, and we are not unrealistic.''
Cutler Bay secured $250,000 for water projects, $200,000 for parks and $100,000 for recycling projects. Being just over 3 years old -- the youngest municipality in the county -- the town was limited in the amount of state funds it could apply for.
''The amount of funding that we can get in and compete for is still in the growing stage,'' said Cutler Bay Town Manager Steven Alexander. ``Each year, as we grow more, we'll be able to compete for more funding but this year that was kind of it.''
Palmetto Bay is slated to receive $800,000 for storm water projects, $100,000 for recycling programs and $200,000 to develop Thalatta Park, a bayfront property the village hopes will eventually serve as a venue for events such as weddings.
''We're just very cautious and fortunate that they made it in there,'' said Palmetto Bay Village Manager Ron Williams. ``We proposed some good projects that are reasonable.''
Coral Gables got roughly $1 million for upgrades and repairs to the city's aging water system.
''We were very particular to only ask for things that we were in dire need of and are part of the infrastructure, because we knew it was going to be a long shot,'' said Coral Gables City Manager David Brown.
In Northwest Miami-Dade, Doral gets $1 million for a water irrigation project for J.C Bermudez Park, after three years of trying.
''Each project gets judged by its merits,'' said Rep. David Rivera, a Miami Republican, whose district includes Doral. ``You can't really say that one city gets funding over another for any particular reason. It all depends on what the cities ask for and how they prioritize those requests.''
Youth activist in Liberty City and areas of North Central Miami-Dade scored a victory when the Legislature approved $3.6 million for the creation of a ``Magic City Children's Zone.''
The zone, modeled after the successful Harlem Children's Zone in New York City, will organize efforts between public and private social service agencies to provide educational programs for inner city youth and their parents.
The aim of the program is to increase graduation rates among the city's disadvantaged students.
''If you're born with five strikes against you to begin with, then what kind of a chance will you have for future success?'' outgoing House Speaker Marco Rubio, a West Miami Republican, said in an April interview. ``We have to increase the odds for all children.''
The Magic City Children's Zone initiative was among Rubio's top legislative priorities and was shepherded by Miami Democrats Rep. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall and Sen. Larcenia Bullard.
For the past two years, Miami-Dade lawmakers have benefited by having Rubio serve in one of state government's top three legislative posts.
Now the Miami-Dade delegation must contend with the loss of Rubio's clout-wielding position and losing five seasoned legislators who will be out of office due to term limits.
''There is a feeling up here in Tallahassee that is not friendly toward Miami,'' said Rep. Juan Carlos Zapata, chairman of the Miami-Dade delegation. ``They don't always understand the demands of our large urban districts.
. . . It just means we'll have to continue being the most vocal delegation.''
Miami Herald staff writers Elaine De Valle, David Smiley, Evan Berkowitz and Carli Teproff contributed to this report.
