Remarks by Danielle Cohen Higgins
389 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 8 of 16
- Play at 45:39
“Point of order, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, may I be recognized very briefly? I don't mean to interrupt at all, even though I know that's exactly what I'm doing. But we just had a committee hearing. where we had a number of presentations that visibly look identical to what you are putting up on our screen right now. And I don't know if you watched the previous committee hearing, but I don't have a copy on my desk of your presentation, and it's always helpful if I have a physical copy. So if you can Distribute that to us. I'd appreciate it. And I am going to assume that your presentation follows…”
Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 51:37
“Thank you, Madam Chair, Deputy Mayor. I think we all understand that clearly. And I think that the chairman of the board was the one that asked all of us to do these budget reviews and these analyses in an effort to work collectively towards the same goal, obviously. And so, I'm not sure that, Going through these presentations is going to be particularly helpful to us because I'm not sure that it accomplishes what the chairman aimed for us to accomplish. And in the previous hearing, we discussed having a workshop of sorts, right? Where after the 230 release of our mayor's budget, we will then…”
Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 1:00:18
“Yes. Madam Chair, really quickly, just to provide clarification, I think it's the intention, I hope it's the intention, I'm sure it's the intention, that these budget hearings that we will have in August is open and welcome to all commissioners, more like a committee of the whole. um where we um engage in that deep dive that we have been uh talking about so i look forward to all of our colleagues participating in that and i see our chairwoman nodding her head and so that's the confirmation i was looking for is that i'll be open to everyone okay thank you madam chair thank you yes um deputy…”
Infrastructure, Innovation & Technology Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 16:08
“Thank you, Madam Chair. Just to our director, I appreciate the presentation on the slides. I'm looking through my papers here. Do you have a printout of that presentation for us so that we may have a copy on the dais? And at our previous hearings where I know a number of departments, if not all major departments, have been giving presentations. I previously mentioned on Monday that I know that the charge from the administration was to keep all departmental budgets at no greater than a 3% increase year over year. Does your budget reflect that charge and that mandate? Yes, it does. Okay, thank…”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 26:39
“Thank you, Madam Chair. To the director, and Namara, this is for you and for the previous director that gave a presentation. What was it that you were asked to present to us today? A budget presentation? I'm not being facetious, I'm not being sarcastic. Was the request a budget presentation? That's my understanding of what was to be presented was a budget presentation, or am I wrong? Maybe I'm wrong. Chief, you're recognized.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 27:34
“So I appreciate that, but here's the reason I'm asking because we've just had two, but I mean on our agenda, it says discussion item regarding the proposed fiscal year 2627 budget presentations and then it lists the department. We've just had two presentations devoid of any numbers whatsoever. There's not a number that has been presented. We're talking about accomplishments, but we're not talking about numbers in a budget presentation. So I'm just not sure that I'm understanding whether or not the presentations Meet the request that has been made, and I understand that the budget will be…”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 29:08
“Your department budget is at $53 million.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 29:17
“And that is within or below the 3% chart from last year to this year?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 29:49
“Okay, and thank you for that. And if the director on the ICD department can approach and share. Again, I'm not trying to get into any details before the actual budget is printed, but I think macro numbers are appropriate during a budget presentation. ICD, if you don't mind approaching, I have a few questions.”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 30:50
“Sure. I understand that. Thank you for clarifying. Thank you. Welcome back. What is your budget?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 31:54
“And on your debt collections page of your presentation, you have here 11%. I'm sorry if you went over that previously, but what does that mean, the 11%?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 32:39
“So I'm sorry, and I appreciate the explanation, but I still don't understand. What does the 11% represent?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 32:51
“I see. We've collected in advance. $24 million. You've collected 11% above that? Yes. I understand, okay. All right, thank you for clarifying that. Okay. Nothing further, Madam Chair. Any other questions?”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 1:06:08
“Thank you, Madam Chair. And I think this is a very important conversation that we're having at this committee. And frankly, I think one that our chairman intended for us to have by having these budget presentations at the committee level. And I think that there needs to be a recognition that things might need to be done differently in Miami-Dade County as a result of the fiscal climate that we are forced to face as a reality. We are accustomed, absent 2008, 2009, the real estate crash. We are accustomed to being flushed with cash, and those days are over. And so I frankly strongly believe…”
Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 0:13
“Good afternoon, everyone quiet in the chambers. Please close the doors to the chambers and everyone please take a seat unless you're a sworn officer. Please find a seat in our chambers. To the clerk, please call the roll. Again, please close the door to the chambers.”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 0:52
“Everyone, please have your seat again. We are about to commence our Aviation and Seaport Committee. We are going to be led by prayer by Commissioner Gonzalez, followed by Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Orbis.”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 1:54
“At this time, I'll ask my colleagues to join us in the well. The mayor has a presentation. Mayor, would you like for us to join you in the well for the presentation? She is indicating yes. Okay. Please join us in the well as the mayor presents certificates on behalf of her Flight Forward team.”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 10:24
“Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for highlighting the progress that we've made at Miami International Airport. It truly has been a collective and a collaborative effort. I think our Madam Mayor prides in calling herself collaborator-in-chief. And the efforts made at our international airport have been really, really great in a very truncated period of time. And I think everybody that has been involved in that effort, all of us moving towards the same goal of making sure that our airport is the absolute best reflection of this extraordinary community. And so, Madam Mayor, thank you and I…”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 19:13
“Please quiet as you exit our chambers. Please quiet as you exit our chambers. At this time, we'll open the reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard. I do not have any speaker cards on reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard. This is your opportunity to address the body on anything on our agenda. Seeing no one approaching at this time, I will close the reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard. To the attorneys, any changes or updates to this morning's agenda?”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 20:24
“Thank you. I'll entertain a motion to set the agenda. So moved. Second. It's been second. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Anyone wish to be recorded, no. Our agenda has been set. At this time, we'll take up the public hearing item, item 1F1. To the attorneys, can you please read in public hearing item 1F1.”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 21:19
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 22:03
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 22:18
“Okay. Uh, now is your opportunity. You're recognized on one G one. You'll have two minutes. Please give us your name and your address.”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 24:33
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026
- Play at 26:51
“Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Public hearing on item 1G1 is now closed to my colleagues. Any comments or discussions on item 1G1? Seeing none, clerk please call the roll.”
Aviation and Seaport Committee · Jul 13, 2026