Coral Gables, FL – The Florida League of Cities (FLC), the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently recognized Coral Gables’ Commissioner Melissa Castro with a 2026 Home Rule Hero Award, presented during a Miami-Dade County League of Cities meeting, for her hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2026 Legislative Session. Castro worked tirelessly throughout session to promote local voices making local choices by sharing insights, local data, and real-world examples that helped inform state lawmakers and elevate the voice of Florida’s cities.
“Local voices matter, and during the 2026 Legislative Session, these leaders made sure those voices were heard,” said FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “By engaging early, often, and thoughtfully, they helped elevate the municipal perspective and reinforce the importance of local decision-making. We sincerely appreciate their dedication and are proud to recognize their advocacy on behalf of Florida’s cities.”
Home Rule is the ability for a city to address local problems with local solutions with minimal state interference. Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the Legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.
“This recognition reflects my work advocating at the state level to keep decision-making where it belongs, with local communities across Florida, including Coral Gables,” said Commissioner Castro. “At a time when there is increasing pressure to shift power away from cities, I have made it a priority to stand up and protect the voice of our communities. Our residents deserve to shape the future of their own neighborhoods, not have it dictated by outside influence. I will continue to fight to protect that.”
Castro was elected to the Coral Gables City Commission in April 2023, bringing expertise in business operations, behavioral analysis and organizational strategy to city governance. She is committed to transparency, efficiency and ensuring residents have a direct voice in shaping the city’s future.
Since taking office, Commissioner Castro has strengthened public engagement by adding new communication requirements to the zoning code. She continues to champion fiscal transparency, protecting taxpayer dollars while advancing initiatives such as the resident parking rate discount and improvements in core services.
Commissioner Castro has been appointed to serve on several Florida League of Cities committees, giving Coral Gables a voice at the state level on growth, governance and accountability. She is also recognized for her defense of democracy and the Constitution, including securing a victory that restored residents’ right to vote on election changes.
A proud Coral Gables resident and mother of two, she remains dedicated to preserving the city’s charm while promoting smart, sustainable progress.
