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Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida's property tax referendum

Politics

Miami&#x27;s local elected officials are split on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amendment 3" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/14/inside-the-florida-property-tax-amendments-court-ordered-rewrite" data-vars-content-id="45f87014-b9fc-496c-847f-890b0ed52bc3" data-vars-headline="Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida&#x27;s property tax referendum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/14/inside-the-florida-property-tax-amendments-court-ordered-rewrite" target="_self">Amendment 3</a>, the ballot measure that would increase the homestead exemption and drastically reduce property taxes across the state.Why it matters: If approved by voters, the measure would bring relief to homeowners&#x27; tax bills — but would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost local governments billions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/voter-guide-what-floridians-should-know-about-amendment-3" data-vars-content-id="45f87014-b9fc-496c-847f-890b0ed52bc3" data-vars-headline="Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida&#x27;s property tax referendum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/voter-guide-what-floridians-should-know-about-amendment-3" target="_blank">cost local governments billions</a>.<ul><li>Supporters argue the measure would force local governments to tighten spending, while opponents say it will leave them scrambling to maintain necessary services.</li></ul>

Need a date or a friend? Miami social app hopes to spark connections

Stoke is hosting a pilot dating event in Wynwood to test the app.

Dating

A new social app from a South Florida startup hopes to spark real-life connections, whether you&#x27;re looking for a friend or a date.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Stoke" data-vars-click-url="https://stokesocial.app/" data-vars-content-id="880da363-ff58-4886-b6b1-61b45e209ee2" data-vars-headline="Need a date or a friend? Miami social app hopes to spark connections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stokesocial.app/" target="_blank">Stoke</a> wants to make it easier for Miami singles to mingle by partnering with bars, coffee shops, gyms and other venues to put users in the same space.

What's going up: Affordable housing, West Grove redevelopment

Development

Here&#x27;s your latest round of development news across Miami-Dade County.

Florida voter registration: Republicans still outpace Democrats

The current tally underscores a years-long trend that has reshaped Florida's politics.

Despite recent party gains, Democrats continue to trail Republicans with active registered voters statewide, a new report by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Miami Herald shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article317473941.html#storylink=cpy" data-vars-content-id="c251312b-3fa6-4db3-89f3-043675b0747a" data-vars-headline="Florida voter registration: Republicans still outpace Democrats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article317473941.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">the Miami Herald shows</a>.Why it matters: The current tally underscores a years-long trend that has reshaped Florida&#x27;s politics.<ul><li>It could also foreshadow local and statewide race outcomes for next month&#x27;s midterm elections.</li></ul>

Miami activist uses social media to demand better sidewalks 

Her litter walks became a campaign to improve accessibility and infrastructure across Miami.

Transit

Miami civic advocate Patricia Garcia has turned neighborhood trash-picking walks into a broader push for accessible sidewalks and responsive government.

Miami Beach mayor wants license plate readers on private property

Commissioners will consider how to respond to debate over Flock cameras and similar technology.

After the DeSantis administration ordered <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="automated license plate readers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/09/02/florida-flock-license-plate-reader-ban-miami-beach-mayors" data-vars-content-id="b07399b6-de9a-404c-a7f0-1c8fc849ff10" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach mayor wants license plate readers on private property" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/09/02/florida-flock-license-plate-reader-ban-miami-beach-mayors" target="_self">automated license plate readers</a> removed from state roads, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner has a workaround: Install them on private property.Why it matters: That is one of two proposals the City Commission will consider on Thursday in response to a debate over privacy and policing around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://abcnews.com/US/flock-cameras-trigger-nationwide-backlash-privacy-concerns-police/story?id=136084771" data-vars-content-id="b07399b6-de9a-404c-a7f0-1c8fc849ff10" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach mayor wants license plate readers on private property" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abcnews.com/US/flock-cameras-trigger-nationwide-backlash-privacy-concerns-police/story?id=136084771" target="_blank">Flock cameras</a> and similar license plate readers.

Miami-Dade mayors challenge Florida Flock camera ban

Miami Beach and six other municipalities are pushing back on the state ban.

Public Safety

Some Miami-Dade mayors are pushing back on Florida&#x27;s decision to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ban automated license plate readers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/09/01/license-plate-readers-desantis-florida-order-pinellas-hillsborough" data-vars-content-id="8f24a246-d93d-4fcc-bfb6-bc089a61804e" data-vars-headline="Miami-Dade mayors challenge Florida Flock camera ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/09/01/license-plate-readers-desantis-florida-order-pinellas-hillsborough" target="_self">ban automated license plate readers</a> from state roads.Why it matters: While agencies including the Miami Dade Sheriff&#x27;s Office announced they would suspend the use of license plate readers, a group of seven Miami-Dade mayors sent a letter asking the DeSantis administration to reverse course.

Florida company sells premium hurricane evacuation flights

PriorityEvac promises to get its customers out of Florida before the public evacuates.

Business

The next time a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hurricane" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/21/atlantic-hurricane-season-forecast-2026-noaa-preparation-el-nino" data-vars-content-id="1b99ff57-0a9d-42ed-b8c7-435333889016" data-vars-headline="Florida company sells premium hurricane evacuation flights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/21/atlantic-hurricane-season-forecast-2026-noaa-preparation-el-nino" target="_self">hurricane</a> threatens Florida, most residents will either hunker down at home or evacuate by car. <ul><li>But a select few will be whisked out of the state on private planes.</li></ul>Why it matters: A new Florida company is selling premium evacuation flights for people who can afford it.<ul><li>&quot;Don&#x27;t evacuate, depart,&quot; is the tagline from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PriorityEvac" data-vars-click-url="https://www.priorityevac.com/" data-vars-content-id="1b99ff57-0a9d-42ed-b8c7-435333889016" data-vars-headline="Florida company sells premium hurricane evacuation flights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.priorityevac.com/" target="_blank">PriorityEvac</a>, which is selling $1,250-a-year memberships to residents with primary or secondary homes in Florida.</li></ul>

Before Tartan Army march, Miami Beach police trained in Scotland

Officers learned Scottish traditions and de-escalation tactics before the World Cup.

A festive crowd gathered on South Beach last month, holding beers and playing music. Some even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climbed onto" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/OfficialJoelF/status/2069496421825351827/video/1" data-vars-content-id="c1a4bd7a-f3c6-40de-9846-a14c73574232" data-vars-headline="Before Tartan Army march, Miami Beach police trained in Scotland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/OfficialJoelF/status/2069496421825351827/video/1" target="_blank">climbed onto</a> a fire rescue ATV.The big picture: This wasn&#x27;t spring break; it was a World Cup parade led by Scottish football fans known as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Tartan Army" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/25/scotland-world-cup-tartan-army-miami" data-vars-content-id="c1a4bd7a-f3c6-40de-9846-a14c73574232" data-vars-headline="Before Tartan Army march, Miami Beach police trained in Scotland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/25/scotland-world-cup-tartan-army-miami" target="_self">the Tartan Army</a>.<ul><li>While Miami Beach has historically <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="imposed strict rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article228090319.html" data-vars-content-id="c1a4bd7a-f3c6-40de-9846-a14c73574232" data-vars-headline="Before Tartan Army march, Miami Beach police trained in Scotland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article228090319.html" target="_blank">imposed strict rules</a> on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spring break party crowds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/02/04/miami-beach-spring-break-restrictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="c1a4bd7a-f3c6-40de-9846-a14c73574232" data-vars-headline="Before Tartan Army march, Miami Beach police trained in Scotland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/02/04/miami-beach-spring-break-restrictions-2026" target="_self">spring break party crowds</a> — due to years of fatal shootings and rowdy behavior — city leaders marched alongside the Scottish supporters.</li></ul>

Report: These 2 cities led Miami-Dade in immigration arrests

Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Springs top immigration arrests

The police departments of Sunny Isles Beach and Miami Springs led all other Miami-Dade cities in immigration-related arrests dating to last August, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Miami Herald" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article315927482.html#storylink=cpy" data-vars-content-id="8cc93d5e-ba75-435d-8f85-8f650eb3e51e" data-vars-headline="Report: These 2 cities led Miami-Dade in immigration arrests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article315927482.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">Miami Herald</a>.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Immigration arrests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/04/09/ice-arrests-surge-in-miami-quieter-tactics-287g" data-vars-content-id="8cc93d5e-ba75-435d-8f85-8f650eb3e51e" data-vars-headline="Report: These 2 cities led Miami-Dade in immigration arrests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/04/09/ice-arrests-surge-in-miami-quieter-tactics-287g" target="_self">Immigration arrests</a> in Florida have skyrocketed under President Trump, an increase local advocates attribute to how the state&#x27;s police departments have partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Violent crime rates down in Miami so far this year

Some of the nation's biggest cities posted especially dramatic homicide declines in the first three months of 2026.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/violent-crime-homicides-falls-major-cities-trump" data-vars-content-id="b8e0c540-b744-4a4a-bbd9-e29e38fd6943" data-vars-headline="Violent crime rates down in Miami so far this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/violent-crime-homicides-falls-major-cities-trump" target="_self">Violent crime</a> fell sharply across the largest U.S. cities in early 2026, extending a nationwide decline that began after the pandemic-era crime spike.Why it matters: Data from 67 major U.S. law enforcement agencies show violent crime fell across major categories during the first quarter compared with the same period in 2025.

City, business leaders agree: Spring break went smoothly on South Beach

This was the third straight spring break without a major incident.

This spring break, Miami Beach saw fewer arrests, emergency medical calls and noise complaints than in 2025, according to city officials.Why it matters: Apart from being welcome news to city leaders and residents, business owners who in the past criticized the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spring break tactics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/02/04/miami-beach-spring-break-restrictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="4521d9eb-328a-4f29-a6a4-620ec0609b7f" data-vars-headline="City, business leaders agree: Spring break went smoothly on South Beach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/02/04/miami-beach-spring-break-restrictions-2026" target="_self">spring break tactics</a> are celebrating, too.<ul><li>This was the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="third year in a row" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" data-vars-content-id="4521d9eb-328a-4f29-a6a4-620ec0609b7f" data-vars-headline="City, business leaders agree: Spring break went smoothly on South Beach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" target="_self">third year in a row</a> that Miami Beach officials said they contained spring break mayhem, after prior party periods were marred by gun violence, stampedes and curfews.</li></ul>

Spring break arrests down in 2026, Miami Beach official says

For the third year in a row, Miami Beach officials say they've kept a lid on spring break mayhem.

For the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="third year in a row," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" data-vars-content-id="5eba16fb-2367-45ec-bafc-f6a79cc4a584" data-vars-headline="Spring break arrests down in 2026, Miami Beach official says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" target="_self">third year in a row,</a> Miami Beach officials say they&#x27;ve kept a lid on spring break mayhem.Why it matters: South Beach&#x27;s annual college party month has been relatively calm in recent years after violence, disorderly crowds and clashes with police marred past spring break seasons.

State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility

An animal welfare group says quarantine rules were violated after a research monkey went missing in Miami.

Environment

Florida wildlife officials are investigating after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="research monkey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/13/cambodia-monkey-export-crackdown-us-pharma" data-vars-content-id="93940f2c-d9fa-4a2d-b0b8-731d3cbbafce" data-vars-headline="State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/13/cambodia-monkey-export-crackdown-us-pharma" target="_self">research monkey</a> imported from an African island wound up in a medical waste treatment facility in Miami, leading to it being euthanized.Why it matters: Animal welfare group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PETA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/03/peta-lawsuit-massachusetts-wiretapping-law-animal-abuse-recording-consent" data-vars-content-id="93940f2c-d9fa-4a2d-b0b8-731d3cbbafce" data-vars-headline="State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/03/peta-lawsuit-massachusetts-wiretapping-law-animal-abuse-recording-consent" target="_self">PETA</a> says the blunder endangered the monkey and threatened public health because it violated federal animal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quarantine requirements" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/nonhuman-primate.html" data-vars-content-id="93940f2c-d9fa-4a2d-b0b8-731d3cbbafce" data-vars-headline="State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/nonhuman-primate.html" target="_blank">quarantine requirements</a>.