The Miami Herald asks the question: Will Miami-Dade Commission's local bailout plan fly? “Miami-Dade commissioners are expected to seek a financial bailout plan for small local businesses Thursday, a move portrayed by backers as vital aid for the needy but viewed by critics as potential pork that could help keep politicians in office.”
Don’t look for Carlos Gimenez’ quote online (oops there was a second page online so it is there). He said of the Rolle/Moss plan:
“He could support the bailout as long as the money is distributed countywide, not on a district-by-district basis.”
You are right rejecting the district part Carlos, except why should the county bailout businesses at all? Are we just throwing money at a problem? Let’s get out of crisis-think and really do a reality check on the use of shrinking County funds.
I have a problem with discretionery funds themselves, having reported on them in the past: Commissioners Giving our Tax Dollars to Non-Profits: Bad Idea (6/23/08). I think it is a worse idea to give them more. The County Commissioners already use $5.5 million of our tax dollars to wrangle votes and now they want to vote more funds to themselves to distribute. Broward County is right:
"Broward County officials, meantime, said the last thing they could do in this economic climate is hand out money. ''We just don't have a pot of money that we can address a problem with. We have to balance our budget,'' said Broward Commissioner John Rodstrom."
Does anyone really think our County Commissioners are going to do their giving equitably? I sure don't. If they MUST give funds it should be given to a charity to distribute, or some neutral entity. I want their sticky fingers to stay off our tax dollars. But, the core question remains: Why are they giving funds in the first place?
Does anyone seethe on seeing that Wells Fargo bank merger AFTER the bailout? We have to stop and do some thinking before we do our giving...unless you are planning on giving the money to me.
7 comments:
No more bailouts! Did you read how well the bank bailouts were going in the business section today? Not well at all.
It's not a bad idea "IF" there are controls. Maybe low, or no, interest loans to help some businesses get through the rough patch until financing losens up and these businesses can see their cash flow issues free up.
It cannot, and should not, become a political patronage fund.
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Create a Blue Ribbon Development Panel, with heads of the Beacon Council, United Way, Miami Metro Action Plan, and potentially a few more local business development agencies to administer the program, without interference by the BCC... That is the best way to do it in my opinion.
Keep the BCC OUT OF IT!!!! That should be the number one goal.
This is a very bad idea. The Board of County Commissioners are charged with representing the people of Miami Dade by writing and passing legislation. There role should not be to give money away. Their slush funds are a perfect example of why this should not move forward.
What's all this about giving money away. All the Commission was asking to do was come up with a plan for helping small businesses.
Sure, it could get all screwed up like most things involving money and the County. But it might actually help those who aren't even on the radar and employ a good part of the entire workforce here.
If automakers can't get loans to meet payroll, how easy is it right now for small family businesses to get cash for their day-to-day?
After Hurricane Andrew, the County stepped in, through a bank-backed program run by the Beacon Council and offered low interest loans to businesses struggling to rebuild.
This could be the same - without all the wreaked buildings.
It can be done right, or terribly wrong, so keep an eye on what comes back from the Mayor's office instead of infusing misinformation about patronage.
What misinformatiion? That the county squanders our money? That Broward thinks what Miami Dade is planning on doing is a bad idea? That if it is done by district it won't be equitable? Gimenez said this is a bad idea. This has all been reported. There is no misinformation.
Granted, businesses might be in trouble. But how do we know throwing money at them will help? For example: If Chili's isn't getting enough customers, throwing money to Chili's will not fix it. They will have the same problem next month and new losses. The problem is: The people can't afford to eat out. So there has to be some thought as to what we are bailing out and will the bailout help or just put off the inevitable? Read the Herald business section today. They report on a firm bailed out with millions overseas and yet, it is still in trouble. The multimillions didn't make a dent.
So, where is the misinformation...
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