We here at 1Miami really want the Carnival Cruise-Miami Heat empire of Micky Arison to be a better neighbor. But anyone criticizing Arison’s sense of entitlement (to the tune of over $300 million dollars of our own money) is scolded and told how he does “a lot” for Miami. In our last posts, we mention how doing “a lot” means doing everything but paying taxes or cleaning up the mess the Heat left behind when the team left the old Miami Arena. In the Herald over the weekend, we were informed that Arison has also been neglecting his legal duty to help Miamians without homes.
Apparently, two Florida state legislators are mad at sports teams that break the law by NOT helping the homeless. A Florida statute stipulates that any sports stadium getting government welfare must provide shelter to the homeless when they’re not hosting events. According to the article, over $271 million dollars in handouts went from our state economic development funds to sports stadiums across Florida. $27.5 million of that went to Arison’s Miami Heat. That is in addition to the $300 million in welfare he already receives locally. All he has to do in return is obey they law.
How much economy is developing from the giveaways to stadiums like Arison’s? According to the experts, not enough to make up for the money we give him[2]. But do you know how many good jobs we can’t create because he doesn’t pay his fare share in taxes? Here at 1Miami, we believe charity begins at home, or at least with your legal duty to provide one to the homeless. Maybe instead of doing “a lot,” Mr. Arison can do what he is supposed to, invest in truly being a good neighbor.
Sources:
- http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2012/01/florida-stadiums-not-sheltering-the-homeless-on-off-nights-pay-up-lawmaker-says.html#more
- http://www.brookings.edu/articles/1997/summer_taxes_noll.aspx
You guys really need to do your homework before you bite the hand that feeds you. Carnival is one of the largest employers in Miami Dade, and Carnival Foundation and the Arison family singlehandedly bankroll any and every charity you can think of in this community. So before you jump on the hater bandwagon, do your homework next time. Journalistic integrity is a beautiful thing. So sorry you lack this.