Hallandale Beach State Of The City Of Hallandale Beach Part 2

Voting is very personal but during the two weeks of early voting. I listened to the voters and learned. What was really alarming to me was some voters simply sat it out not voting for President at all. We are seeing more and more people changing parties or simply opting for No Party Affiliation. Our Nation's democracy is and will always be messy.

We do need to be vigilant. We need to respect different views, defend our Constitution, respect the branches of government to ensure a balance of power. Preserve due process. As a Mayor, I have served this City during both Democratic and Republican Administrations. I like ideas from both sides of the aisle.

I will say in my opinion the super majority of all Americans were not not ready for this ride. We went from one roller coaster to another. I’m not talking the old coney island ones, I’m talking new ones. One with upside down seats, double loops and corkscrews. As with all processes, “The devil is in the details.” The only certainty now is uncertainty. We as a City are not trained in Immigration Law and policy, nor paid to perform ICE’s duties. This job is a federal function. Counties and some cities enter into interagency agreements with ICE.

We as a city certainly do not get in any agency’s way of performing their duties. In Florida, there was a special session to change Immigration Laws. The state increased penalties for coming to the state illegally. The level of punishment for fraudulently voting and other criminal activities have been elevated. For Capital Felony crimes there is now the death penalty. There is no more free state tuition for undocumented students.

Our major sticking point and concern with our City was taking our officers off their daily duties fighting crime to doing another agency’s job. This would directly impact crime and staffing levels without any considerations. We fought and now there are training dollars so local Law Enforcement can understand Immigration Laws and policy. There is also a $1,000 bonus to officers that end up participating in helping ICE operations.

The other big change on the federal level was the Department of Government Efficiency-DOGE. At first, when Musk was appointed my hopes were that he would work to increase efficiency through departmental reorganization and improve technology in a methodical way. God knows they need it.

This would mean firing inefficient employees but no one saw massive cuts. Sure, there is waste but many agency jobs serve the most vulnerable like our Veterans and seniors. We are still watching to see what the impacts will be. In Florida, I like to say we have been double DOGE’d. I wish they would truly DOGE themselves. No disrespect to other electeds in the audience. Have you tried getting a Driver's License? Tried to get a response from the Department of Business and Professional Regulations?

I have not heard any large announcements from the State DOGE office but I am sure with over 410 cities and over 1,900 special districts they will find some findings. We were DOGE’d and I am proud to share. Our 2024 Budget of over $200 Million dollars that included over $80 Million Dollars in Projects and Robust Reserves went through our 2024 Annual Audit with zero findings. I’ll say that again zero findings.

So what are the true threats we are facing as a City? Uncertainty, inflation, tariffs, cuts to the National Budget, limited Grants and the Governor’s push to cut Property Taxes. National Cuts have become clearer this past two weeks. The White House released a 46 page memorandum which was forwarded to me along with all of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Executive Board. Yes, I read it – Remember Verify.

The cuts will impact everyone in some way or another. Many line Budget items were either totally eliminated or drastically reduced. Medicaid cuts are huge. While it does not impact our City functions it will impact the most vulnerable. In our district like many others children make up 55% of the Medicaid roll. Yes, it is shameful individuals will not receive care but there are other broader implications.

In the grand scheme cuts to Medicaid impact service providers, doctors, nurses and hospitals. Social Security was left whole and untouched. The Veteran Administration Budget was actually increased. Mainly to implement an overhaul in technology for improved medical record management and access. Also they will allow Veterans to go to Non VA hospitals. DOE was slashed while keeping Title One programs preserved.

Quality schools matter to our cities. Funny all the talk about cutting DOE there was $60 Million Dollar in Charter School funding. All school costs will now be passed directly to the states. Obviously full elimination of energy saving programs dubbed the “BIG GREEN LIE.” This will impact our ability to apply for Federal Grants which have helped with the progress of the Cloud Mini Bus System. We are still working to build our fleet charging facility. In the County the plan to go after Federal Grants to build out EV charging stations has already been shelved.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share!