In the aftermath of recent elections in Miami Beach, where voters resoundingly prioritized public safety, a legislative proposal challenges this core principle. Senate Bill 1054, under consideration in Tallahassee, aims to expand gambling in our state and county, potentially reshaping our community. This issue is deeply intertwined with our fundamental priorities of public safety and quality of life for residents.
The proposed legislation seeks to permit the relocation of gambling facilities within the state, including areas like ours where gambling activities are presently prohibited by law in all zoning districts throughout the city.
Under the proposed bill, an existing casino permit holder could transfer its gaming license to a new location within a 30-mile radius of its current facility without the statewide and county voter referendum as required by the Florida Constitution. This would be a dangerous preemption, disregarding local zoning laws that prohibit gambling uses.
For years, we’ve grappled with challenges during Memorial Day weekend and are addressing issues associated with spring break. These high-impact events already strain our public safety resources and affect quality of life.
The introduction of a casino and gambling would not only exacerbate these challenges but also risk making them a permanent fixture in our city.
Adding to the concern are level-of-service maps by the Florida Department of Transportation that paint a stark reality for Miami Beach, depicting our causeways and key arterials teetering on the brink of failure. The existing strain on our transportation infrastructure is palpable, and the introduction of gambling through SB1054 — and companion House Bill 1127 — threaten to compound this predicament.
Casinos are known for drawing significant traffic, exacerbating congestion and straining our overburdened transportation networks. As we contend with the tangible implications of failing or borderline-failing causeways, the potential introduction of a casino in Miami Beach extends far beyond increased traffic congestion.
Casinos are known for low wages, attracting organized crime and money laundering, and causing societal ills including drug abuse, prostitution and gambling addiction, fundamentally impacting communities.
It is noteworthy that tourist resort tax collections in Miami Beach have reached unprecedented levels, demonstrating the city’s robust appeal to visitors and, in 2022, voters overwhelmingly approved a substantial $159 million investment in arts and cultural institutions.
This significant financial commitment reflects a collective vision for a Miami Beach that prioritizes the arts as an essential component of our identity. In stark contrast, the introduction of casinos poses a potential threat to the harmonious blend of tourism, arts and cultural investments.
The city commission’s longstanding opposition to gambling is well documented. Elected officials have consistently advocated against gambling. We maintain a strong stance against any state legislation that weakens local government’s home rule powers. Our adopted priorities oppose bills overriding local regulations prohibiting gambling and casino operations, authorizing the transfer of existing licenses or allowing licensees to open new facilities.
In short, Miami Beach stands in strong opposition to gambling.
Our commission, elected on a platform of prioritizing public safety, including our newly elected mayor with a “law and order” platform, reflects our community’s commitment to these values. The introduction of a casino in Miami Beach represents more than a mere policy change — it would signify a shift that could heighten existing challenges and introduce new ones, particularly in the realm of public safety.
Such a move would undermine the direct voice of our residents and disregard our local zoning laws.
As we weigh the implications of SB1054, I urge you to join this crucial dialogue. Your voice is essential in ensuring decisions align with the will and best interests of Miami Beach residents.
Let us stand united in our commitment to maintaining a safe, vibrant and welcoming community — a commitment threatened by the potential introduction of gambling — and true to the principles of public safety and order that you, our residents, have unequivocally chosen as your top priority.
Alex Fernandez is a Miami Beach city commissioner.
