Miami Dade College limiting public access to new Trump library vote

To undercut a lawsuit alleging a lack of transparency, Miami Dade College’s Board of Trustees is retaking its vote to give away prime downtown land to be used for Donald Trump’s presidential library — but still isn’t holding a formal public hearing about the proposal.

During an official public hearing, “any citizen is entitled to speak” with or without prior approval, according to Miami Dade College rules. Tuesday’s 8 a.m. Board of Trustees meeting, however, is not being treated as a public hearing under this policy.

The college is instead telling members of the public they must seek permission to address the board through an emailed, written request.

That’s according to both the public notice of Tuesday’s meeting and an email the college sent to a prospective public commenter, John Ise, that he shared with the Miami Herald.

"Tuesday’s meeting, occurring immediately after a holiday weekend, indicates that MDC simply wants to limit public input, rather than solicit it,” Ise said in an emailed response to the college.