Miami-Dade’s budget crisis is a choice and now residents are paying for it | Opinion
Miami-Dade County faces a projected $402 million shortfall caused by an out-of-control government. Instead of fiscally disciplined and transparent budgeting, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s proposed $3.6 billion budget is a cautionary tale of progressive governance.
There is a better way. It starts with focusing on core needs, exercising disciplined executive leadership and demanding truth in governance.
First, budgets must reflect the people’s priorities by funding basic needs. The rate of growth must be sustainable and not outpace revenues.
Since taking office, Levine Cava has grown the government at an unprecedented rate. Instead of saving for a rainy day, they went on a spending spree. New offices sprang up to promote diversity, sustainability and other social programs. It’s easy to be compassionate when you’re spending other people’s money.
Next, government investments should prioritize public safety and improve our community. Under this administration, needs were ignored and investments haven’t kept pace with our growth. We don’t have solutions to the trash problem or aging roads and 24-hour gridlock, but we got a heat office to tell us it’s hot and electric buses that don’t work.
The mayor now proposes to eliminate offices that she created and take away funds from nonprofits she threw money at. This begs the question: Did we really need these things in the first place?
The administration’s budget also cuts all departments equally — a lazy practice that fails to prioritize core needs. Consider that while traffic gets worse, cuts to roads and transit are among the largest.
They ask for more fee increases, including a higher gas tax that will hurt hard-working families and seniors. This administration loves to increase fees. It’s only when the county commission stops them that they magically find a way to get things done with less.
Conversely, we have an example of executive leadership in Florida where Gov. Ron DeSantis uses line-item vetoes to eliminate waste and protect taxpayers. Florida invests in core needs that continue to attract new residents and businesses. The governor exercises fiscal discipline and is even talking about eliminating property taxes.
Miami-Dade’s proposed budget doesn’t even try. It avoids the hard work of creating savings through efficiencies and cutting waste. Where is the promised independent third-party audit to identify inefficiencies, create savings and restore credibility to the process?
As someone elected to give voice to the people, I am sick and tired of the annual budget shell game where the mayor withholds information and plays hide-the-ball with commissioners.
This is why I am working on legislation to force zero-based and line-item budgeting to give us a true picture of where taxpayer money is going. This transfers power from bureaucrats to the people — no more hiding money in vague categories or general accounts.
I urge you to show up to the budget hearings and demand that the mayor explain her budget, because you deserve to know how your hard-earned money is being spent.
Roberto J. Gonzalez is a Miami-Dade County commissioner, representing District 11, which includes the greater West Kendall area. He serves as chairman of the safety and health committee.
