Delivering Policy Solutions 

• I collaborated with State Representative Holly Raschein, Homestead Councilman Steve Shelley and the County Parks Department to secure funding for the Biscayne Everglades Greenway Trail connecting our two beautiful National Parks. Our efforts paid off and the State will award $360,500 towards the trail.
• In conjunction with the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Miami-Dade Animal Services Department, I secured funds needed for the continued care and treatment of dozens of abandoned, neglected and abused horses rescued by the SPCA.

South Dade: More to Explore

This year's South Dade Solutions Summit focused on how to market our unique community. Take a sneak peak at our new South Dade brand.

Empowering Miami Women to Rise

One year ago the Commission unanimously approved my legislation implementing the international Convention to End Discrimination Against Women in Miami-Dade. The ordinance called for the annual report on the status of women in the county. Learn more about the report's findings here.

Thank you to all the organizations that supported our legislation

A New Aquatic Complex Coming Soon in Homestead

A new addition is coming soon to South Dade Park.

Upcoming Policy Solutions 

• I am proposing an ordinance that would allow builders' impact fees to be used to create bike lanes. The legislation passed on first reading and will have a committee hearing in January.
• This January I will bring a resolution to the Board that requires the Mayor to develop a plan that will give the public reasonable notice before removing a traffic control device such as a stop sign or traffic light.

Be sure to give us your suggestions and ideas. Email us at [email protected] or write us on Facebook and Twitter.

Developing our South Dade Nonprofits and Small Businesses

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our growing South Dade community. I am committed to supporting our local organizations and helping them prosper. Read more about our new program for small businesses.

Be sure to contact our office for more information

Great in 8 Profile: Susan Holtzman

Susan Holtzman became interested in senior issues when her mother developed dementia and she realized how unprepared she and many others are to care for their aging parents. With a background in healthcare and business, Susan has educated herself about the issue, then enrolled at the University of Massachussets for a Masters Degree in gerontology and aging services. Susan is a Palmetto Bay resident who serves as a volunteer advisor to my office on senior issues, keeping me abreast of the matters affecting our aging population and possible ways to meet their needs. Miami-Dade County has the largest number of adults aged 60 and older in Florida, and that number is expected to double in the next 25 years. Susan has been working on an initiative to establish a Seniors Trust, which would play a role similar to the Children's Trust, directing resources to programs for seniors. In order to meet the needs of an aging population, Susan says, we need to provide adequate transportation, housing and activities. Most importantly, we need to engage older adults in public policy to make sure our decisions reflect their interests. Thank you Susan for all you do for this community!

Beginning the #PublicTransitDay Tradition

This year, community groups in partnership with the county, began a new tradition. We celebrated the first #PublicTransitDay to raise awareness about the public transit options available to residents and bring light to our remaining transportation challenges. Residents and elected officials were encouraged to ride public transit and share their experiences on social media. As a regular user of transit, I used my Easy Card to take the brand new hybrid buses on the South Dade Transitway. In true South Dade fashion, I took my bike and pedaled for the last mile. I arrived at the #PublicTransitDay press conference at the Palmetto Bay Golf Course with plenty of time to spare.

I remain committed to finding the long term solutions we need to create an interconnected community that allows us to leave our cars at home. Meanwhile, my office is working on bringing short-term solutions, like a more efficient South Dade Transitway and synchronizing lights on major corridors, to ease gridlock in the short-term.

A very special thank you to Urban Impact Lab and Radical Partners for their work in organizing #PublicTransitDay.

 Celebrating the Season with District 8

District 8 collaborated with the Town of Cutler Bay and the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center for a holiday celebration with something for everyone: Santa, Hanukkah lights, gift donations, food trucks, a movie and even snow!