5 June 12-18, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Brought to you by Game Plan for Health. The Tank Brewery June 14 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/ZoTime MonthXX–MonthXX,2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | collected through the TDT supports over 200,000 jobs in various industries throughout greater South Florida. If Miami loses its tourism marketing and development funding, many workers in those sectors can expect reduced wages and layoffs. Crider says funding cuts would also impact in- vestments in education, public safety, transporta- tion, arts and culture, and other sectors, which are all necessary to maintain and improve tourism in Miami. As Miami approaches summer, signs point to another strong tourist turnout, even amid Presi- dent Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade wars. “We’re coming out of our first quarter. There’s been some recent news regarding tariffs that have slowed travel in certain specific areas, but we’ve seen a lift in areas like Argentina,” Crider says. “People love coming to Miami-Dade County in the summer, so different areas are seeing lifts, but you are seeing some decreases in other areas.” Tourism marketing isn’t just nice to have; it re- ally is our business driver, our job creator. It’s re- ally the tip of the spear for the future of economic development, not only here in Miami-Dade County, but also in the state of Florida.” Many Miami Beach business leaders, like David Wallack, owner of the popular Mango’s Tropical Cafe, have a different outlook. In the past, Wal- lack has objected to government initiatives that drive away tourism (like the hilarious “Breaking up with Spring Break” campaigns discouraging tourists from visiting the 305, lest they encounter $100 parking, DUI checkpoints, and restricted beach access). He says the Miami-Dade County Convention and Visitors Bureau has neglected Miami Beach for years. In a time when businesses like his are “suffering considerably,” he says, it would be best for business owners to decide how to spend money themselves, rather than leaving it to local government. “It seems like it would benefit the businesses make city and county governments look else- where in their budgets for those marketing dol- lars,” Wallack says. Jay Shirodkar, president of Shirodkar Indus- tries, which comprises many South Florida-based hospitality businesses, including Naked Taco, says the development tax has hurt Miami Beach res- taurants and bars more than it has helped. “I don’t know that removing the tax altogether is the right move, but I definitely think there needs to be a realignment of goals and talk about what tourism is, because in my perspective right now, I think I can confidently say tourism is not being welcomed on South Beach,” Shirodkar says. “If somebody has a real plan to ‘clean up the beach’ while still allowing us to feed in all that tourist traffic, I’d be open to talking about a tour- ist development tax, but in the current state, I wouldn’t want to pay anything because I feel like the city a lot of the time is working against us.” Editor’s note: After publication, Representative Basabe sent New Times the following statement: “This legislation is not about dismantling tour- ism. It is about restoring balance. For years, mil- lions in tourist tax dollars have been funneled into marketing campaigns and politically favored projects, while residents are left to deal with sky- rocketing costs of living, collapsing infrastructure, and a worsening housing crisis. “Redirecting a portion of those funds toward property tax relief, essential services, and critical infrastructure is not just common sense. It is long overdue. For too long, we have marketed to a high-impact, low-quality brand of tourism that depletes our resources, overwhelms our city, and dam- ages our natural environment. Meanwhile, the people who keep Florida run- ning are being priced out and pushed aside. If we want a sustainable future, we need to rein- vest in them — not just in the image we sell to visitors. “Some critics are quick to tie this to national debates on trade or tariffs. But this is not about partisan politics. This is about local accountabil- ity. This bill gives counties the option to use tourism tax revenue in a way that actually bene- fits the communities generating it. It ensures that growth works for everyone, not just those at the top. “Floridians deserve a fair return on their con- tributions. They deserve a government that puts them first.” [email protected] “THIS IS NOT ABOUT PARTISAN POLITICS. THIS IS ABOUT LOCAL ACCOUNTABILITY.” It’s Only Money from p4 A Florida bill proposes ending the Tourist Development Tax, threatening Miami’s tourism marketing, billions in revenue, and over 200,000 local jobs. Photo by Walter Bibikow/Getty Images
