Press Release
January 11, 2019

Miguel De Grandy Reelected Chair of Miami-Dade Domestic Violence Oversight Board

Holland & Knight

MIAMI (January 11, 2019) – Miguel De Grandy, a partner with Holland & Knight and former member of the Florida House of Representatives, was unanimously reelected by his peers as chairman of the Miami-Dade County Domestic Violence Oversight Board. The election took place on January 10.

In 1994, during Mr. De Grandy's tenure as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, he introduced an amendment to a bill authorizing a one-penny food and beverage tax for homeless services, which reserved 15 percent of the revenue stream for the construction and operation of domestic violence shelters. To date, that revenue stream has produced more than $40 million dollars, allowing for the creation of the first domestic violence center – completed approximately 14 years ago – and the development of a second domestic violence center for which procurement is currently ongoing.

Part of the legislation sponsored by Mr. De Grandy included a requirement that any county opting to impose the food and beverage tax create an oversight board to prepare and submit plans for disbursing the funds. Mr. De Grandy became the founding chairman of the board, serving as such in 1994 and 1995. He rejoined the board in January 2018 and was elected as chair.

"I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of our members this past year and humbled by their unanimous support," said Mr. De Grandy.  "I look forward to breaking ground this year on the second domestic violence shelter that will be fully funded and operated through this revenue stream."

Mr. De Grandy currently serves as the head of Holland & Knight's South Florida Government Advocacy and Development Group. He practices in the area of litigation and dispute resolution with particular emphasis on governmental, administrative, land use and procurement law. He served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1989 to 1994.

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