A small cadre of lobbyists has a stranglehold on Miami International Airport's millions. Companies that employ them win airport deals. Companies that don't often can't get in. Politicians have helped empower the lobbyists, turning them into a virtual shadow government in Miami Dade. County commissioners can't get elected without lobbyist money.
Lobbyists say they merely help businesses navigate a complex airport bureaucracy.
But ask Aviation Director Gary Dellapa to name a big MIA contract without a lobbyist involved. The costs often get passed on to the public. The tally rises quickly when more players are added to the team. I've never had to do that in any other part of the country,'' Smarte Carte president Brad Stanius complained when his contract was being held up last year. Longtime lobbyist Sylvester Lukis says lobbying fees are routinely tacked on to the cost of contracts, sometimes resulting in higher prices to the public and less money to the airport.