Miami-Dade County employees are to be commended for providing excellent service to our community during a
Queen Brown
turbulent fiscal year. During the 2011-2012 fiscal year thousands of county employees lost approximately 20 per cent of their base salary and benefits. Employee salary reductions were made in order for homeowners to receive a tax saving and for the county to deliver basic services. This move affected not only the 1 per cent of county employees who are making 6 figure salaries, it also affected the thousands of county employees making below a living wage. Everyone was forced to forfeit their cost of living increases, cuts in benefits and some even lost their positions in order to balance the county’s’ budget.
While county employees are also homeowners, residents and tax payers during budget discussions act as though they are different groups of people. However, there is a bit of good news from the Miami-Dade Property Appraisers Office; an increase in property values and a slight growth in new construction increased the tax base by nearly 2 per cent. Hopefully this additional tax revenue will be used to reinstate employees’ lost wages and benefits as well as restore funding to programs for the needy.
On August 14, there will be some very important races on the ballot. Several judges seats as well as the seat for Dade County State Attorney will be on the ballot. If it is justice we want for our children and the community then it is imperative that we get out and vote. The Office of the State Attorney, Circuit and County Court judges are in charge of our criminal justice and judicial system. Therefore we must know how their legal decisions will impact our lives and our community. Now is the time that we must vote and vote for our best interest, otherwise things will only get worse. We must not become disillusioned by things of the past and not vote in this election. The power to change things is in your vote.
By Queen Brown
Community Activist
Queenb2020@bellsouth.net
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