Latest news with #SMARTPlan
Miami Herald
14-03-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Miami-Dade mayor recruits new transportation director from DeSantis administration
The head of state transportation projects in the Miami area will take over Miami-Dade's transit system under an appointment announced Friday by the county's mayor, Daniella Levine Cava. Stacy Miller, who holds the title of district secretary in the Florida Department of Transportation, will take over as transportation and public works director in Miami-Dade. She replaces Eulois Cleckley, the former Denver public works chief Levine Cava hired shortly after winning office in 2020. Cleckley left his $298,000-a-year county post last year to lead the fundraising operation of the Underline, a privately run bike and pedestrian trail under the county's Metrorail system. Miller, an engineer, took over the Miami-Dade and Monroe County operations at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in 2021 under Gov. Ron DeSantis. The job gave her the title of District Six secretary and made her the point person for state funding for road, bridge and transit projects across the region. With Miami-Dade projecting a budget crunch next year, those dollars are even more important as Miller comes in to oversee the county's roads, bridges, traffic lights and transit system in a job that will pay $302,000 a year, according to an offer letter released Friday by the mayor's office. Miller takes over as Levine Cava's administration is predicting a revenue shortfall in next year's county budget even as the county prepares to open a rapid-transit bus line in South Miami-Dade and pursues federal funds to open a commuter rail between Miami and Aventura. Both projects — the South Dade rapid-transit bus line and the Coastal Link rail line — are part of the county's SMART Plan blueprint, an initiative that counts on state funding to become reality. Javier Betancourt, director of the office overseeing the county's half-percent sales tax for transportation, praised Miller for her extensive state contacts and strong local relationships. 'I was delighted to hear about the appointment,' said Betancourt, director of the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust. 'She's familiar with our community, and she's committed to the SMART Plan.'
CBS News
03-03-2025
- CBS News
Miami's US-1 ranked among Top 25 busiest corridors in the country, report says
A new study confirms that South Florida is home to one of the busiest stretches of road in the nation. Between stoplights and honking car horns, many drivers say navigating U.S. Route 1 in Coconut Grove can be a challenge. And nothing makes the congestion feel worse than looking up to see Metrorail trains gliding by every few minutes. "It actually makes things simpler," said one Metrorail rider. "I can get to work… I work right off Bird and 99th." CBS News Miami spoke to commuters at the Douglas Road Station who rely on Metrorail daily. "Aside from the traffic, you actually get to see some of the sights out the window," one rider noted. According to the 2024 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard, southbound US-1 between I-95 and SW 42nd Street ranks as the 22nd busiest corridor in the country. The study reports that commuters lost an average of 53 hours in traffic along this stretch in 2023, with congestion peaking at 8 a.m. "US-1 is always congested," said Tala Habash, a representative from Transit Alliance, a nonprofit advocating for improved public transit access across South Florida. "You think you're going to get there faster by driving, but really, you're just adding to the traffic and stress," Habash said. More Miami-Dade residents turning to public transit Recent data shows more Miami-Dade residents are turning to public transit. Metrorail ridership increased by 11% in 2024, with some of the busiest stations located along the US-1 corridor, including Douglas Road, Dadeland North, and Dadeland South. Habash believes ridership will continue to grow as transit options expand. "That means extending the Metrorail along the SMART Plan to reach FIU, expanding down Flagler, and increasing service to northern areas like Wynwood," she said. "Improved connectivity and access make choosing transit a more seamless decision."
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NEW: Whitmer plans to propose ‘record high' per-pupil funding in FY 2026 budget proposal
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks to reporters after presenting her proposal for the state's Fiscal Year 2025 budget on Feb. 7, 2024. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to propose 'record high' per-pupil funding in her upcoming budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, her office told the Michigan Advance. The current FY 2025 School Aid budget, which totals $23.4 billion, includes a foundation allowance of $9,608 per pupil — the minimum amount that school districts receive. That caused considerable controversy, as Republicans pounced on the fact that there was no increase from the FY 2024 budget. However, Democrats who controlled the Legislature last term made the case that was augmented by legislation also signed by Whitmer that reduced school district contributions toward teacher retirement and uses excess money from the fund to supplement classroom needs, saving districts $598 million in payroll costs. $83B state budget heads to Whitmer's desk after all-night session Whitmer's office did not release the amount of the per-pupil increase that the governor will propose for the next fiscal year that starts Oct. 1, but said that she has increased the foundation allowance 'more than the last two governors [Democrat Jennifer Granholm and Republican Rick Snyder] combined.' Whitmer's school budget proposal will include the 'SMART Plan' which focuses on Students, Metrics And Results with Transparency. In addition to boosting the per-pupil allowance, she is set to propose four other investments 'supported and inspired by Republicans and Democrats' that will boost student outcomes. Republicans have been sharply critical of the governor as Michigan has seen falling test scores since the COVID-19 pandemic. In her 'Road Ahead Address' delivered at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month, Whitmer stressed her commitment to bipartisanship in a nod to the fact that the Legislature is now divided, with the GOP running the House and Democrats in control of the Senate. 'Every Michigan student deserves the resources they need to get a good-paying job and set themselves up for a bright future. And every Michigan family deserves to raise their kids in communities with world-class K-12 schools. That's why we must build on the progress we've made and get SMART on education,' Whitmer's office said in a document provided to the Advance. Whitmer is planning to propose additional funding for new education transparency measures such as awarding districts for implementing best practices and increasing transparency around student outcomes for parents through a combination of direct reporting to parents, improved dashboards and board meetings to improve parental engagement. The governor's FY 2026 proposal will double literacy grants to districts and provide additional funding to help them implement the new science of reading requirement; ensure each intermediate school district in Michigan has at least two literacy coaches for the first time in state history; and continue the Michigan Reading Corps and LETRS training for teachers. Student mental health and school safety will receive what Whitmer's office called the 'largest amount of ongoing funding in Michigan's history' in her next budget plan. And finally, Whitmer will propose the 'largest career and technical education investment in Michigan history,' her office said. Whitmer's office has not released a date for when her administration will present its FY 2026 budget proposal to the House and Senate Appropriation committees, although that typically is in February. This year, Whitmer is scheduled to give her annual State of the State address later than usual on Feb. 26. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
