Raquel Regalado

Twenty years ago, Miami-Dade voters were promised a place where people in mental health crisis would be met with treatment, not a jail cell. This Tuesday, June 16, that promise finally comes before the full Board of County Commissioners.
That vote is at the heart of this month's Common Ground, along with two other wins worth celebrating:
We found common ground on Tri-Rail, approving a new agreement with FDOT to protect the regional rail that tens of thousands of South Floridians depend on every day.
And we took our neuroinclusion work somewhere new, the soccer field. At our FIFA Miami Neuroinclusive Soccer Clinic in Pinecrest, Concacaf coaches worked with our youth to make the beautiful game welcoming to every kind of player. With World Cup 26 coming to Miami, we are building it inclusive from the ground up.
Treatment over a cell. Reliable transit. A game with room for everyone. That is what common ground looks like. Read this months issue and join us. Link below.

From the Rails to Mental Health Recovery: Common Ground in Action Issue 2, June 2026 Some of the most important work in local government does not happen in the spotlight. It happens in workshops, in legislative drafting meetings, in budget conversations, in the patient work of getting agencies that answer to different people, with different priorities and differen

This April I launched the Florida Neuroinclusion Toolkit. A free resource for cities, counties and public agencies who want to incorporate neuroinclusion in their existing government systems. I'm still physically visiting cities and counties but you can help spread this resource by viewing our webinar with UM-NSU CARD and the amazing Dr. Alessandri and visiting the website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08w5KAIVwao together we can build autism friendly communities.

Neuroinclusion Toolkit: Building Autism-Friendly Communities - Get Started Today! Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado and Dr. Michael Alessandri of UM-NSU CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities) present the Florida Neuro Incl...

Wonderful time with Miami Autism Dad Victor Antunez discussing the Florida Neuroinclusion Toolkit. Click below to watch
https://communitynewspapers.com/featured/the-autism-mom-who-turned-miami-dade-into-a-neuroinclusion-model/

Thank you my friend, for your support and leadership.

My friend and colleague during my time in the Miami-Dade County Commission, District 7 Commissioner Raquel Regalado, attended the monthly Commission Meeting for April to highlight the “Occupant with Autism” decal program.

In partnership with the City of Sweetwater, this initiative helps alert first responders that someone inside the vehicle may have autism. With this initiative, officers will receive specialized training that will allow them to better recognize and respond to individuals with invisible disabilities. The result will ensure safer interactions for all.

Every holiday season we pause to think about the unhoused. We drop off pantry staples, donate clothing or volunteer for a day. Then the holidays end and life moves on, but the crisis continues. Homelessness may feel seasonal, but it is a daily struggle playing out in every corner of Miami Dade County. . . . This year our Continuum of Care, which includes outreach teams, shelters and providers, housed or served more than twelve thousand people. We know that 2026 will bring even more challenges.

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The Changing Face of Homelessness in Miami Dade County Every holiday season we pause to think about the unhoused. We drop off pantry staples, donate clothing or volunteer for a day. Then the holidays end and life moves on, but the crisis continues. Homelessness may feel seasonal, but it is a daily struggle playing out in every corner of Miami Dade Count...

Talking property tax reform with our Miami Dade Property Appraiser Tomas Regalado part 1. Join us as we consider the current options and explain the historical hurdles.

Unfiltered with the Regalados "Property Taxes and Property Values - Part 1" Unfiltered with the Regalados "Property Taxes and Property Values - Part 1"Commissioner Raquel Regalado and her dad, Mayor Tomas Regalado, delve into propert...

We passed our budget but our work is far from done.

📊 2025-2026 County Budget Recap This year, we faced a shortfall caused by the shift of constitutional offices to independent offices. Working together, we closed that gap while keeping Metrobus and Metrorail fares affordable and holding the line on property taxes. Looking ahead, we must continue to keep our promises to you, the residents of Miami-Dade County, and continue to use your tax dollars wisely.✅ - Este año, efrentamos un déficit causado por el traspaso de las oficinas constitucionales a oficinas independientes. Trabajando juntos, cerramos esa brecha mientras mantenemos las tarifas de Metrobus y Metrorail accesibles y los impuestos estables. Seguiremos cumpliendo nuestras promesas con responsabilidad. ✅ #MiamiDade #BCC #CountyBudget #AffordableTransit #FiscalResponsibility #Presupuesto #Transporte #OurCounty

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first budget meeting. After weeks of work, we’ve made significant progress on key issues and have a clear path forward for others. As Chairwoman of Appropriations, I am committed to finding cost-saving efficiencies and rightsizing our government. Next week, the work continues as we analyze enterprise funds and seek alternatives to the proposed transit rate increases.

Here is a recap of yesterday's BCC meeting, tonight is our first budget hearing, follow us on Instagram for updates or watch the meeting at
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/webcasting/home.page
We have been focused on finding alternatives and reducing fees without impacting services. Less complaining more problem solving!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOKQ-zjjRU0/?igsh=b2ZpcjJ1Mjh2c3dx

Today's BCC meeting set the tone for our upcoming budget—every decision focused on protecting your tax dollars and serving our community responsibly. Key highlights from today: ✅ Reduced proposed fees to keep costs low for residents without cutting services ✅ Increased fines on illegal dumping to protect our neighborhoods ✅ Identified new efficiencies and better coordination between departments Fiscal responsibility isn't just a buzzword—it's how I believe #OurCounty should govern. Every choice we make has a real impact on your wallet and our community's future.