Members of Cutler Bay’s Town Council and staff visited the state capital in Tallahassee on Monday, Mar. 20, for the Florida League of Cities “Legislative Action Days.”
Mayor Peggy R. Bell, Councilmembers Mary Ann Mixon and Michael P. Callahan, town attorney Mitchell Bierman and town manager Rafael G. Casals made the trip for the annual event.
Every year during the legislative session Florida League of Cities members attend the “Legislative Action Days” in Tallahassee in order to hear from representatives and staff on what the upcoming legislative session has in store for municipalities.
Attendees are able to meet with their legislators one on one to discuss critical issues for the League and individual municipalities. Town council members met with State Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, State Rep. Kionne McGhee and State Rep. Daisy Baez to discuss the town’s legislative priorities, along with town lobbyist Fausto Gomez.
The town has developed three appropriation requests that have been sponsored by Sen. Rodriguez, Rep. Baez and Rep. McGhee. These projects include the Saga Bay 1.2 Sub-Basin Water Quality Improvement Project, the US1 Corridor Economic Development Plan and the Cutler Bay Active Adult Services Program. Since each project requires funding from the state the council members had to go to Tallahassee to express the town’s need for these initiatives and to gain support from state legislators.
“The Florida House of Representatives and Senate play such a vital role in the success of the town,” Mayor Bell said. “This year’s legislative session is particularly important because there are several legislative bills being proposed that preempt the governing abilities of local governments.
“With three major appropriation projects on the town’s table this year, it was extremely important for our elected officials to meet with our legislators to voice our concerns and gain support. As recently being recognized as the seventh suburb in the country for development and living conditions, it is imperative that we actively seek support and funding to continue providing our residents with the best resources for living, business and the environment.”
The town council went again to Tallahassee for Miami-Dade County Days the first week of April. This event provides another opportunity for the council to showcase Miami-Dade County and the town.
