Inside Miami’s Mayoral Race: Corruption, Permits, Taxes & the Future of the City
In this powerful episode of Just the Tip, Felix sits down with Emilio Gonzalez — former CEO of Miami International Airport, ex–City Manager, U.S. Army Colonel, White House official, and now a candidate in Miami’s upcoming mayoral runoff.
With decades of experience in military intelligence, federal leadership, and local government, Emilio breaks down what’s really happening behind the scenes in Miami’s politics, infrastructure, and hospitality ecosystem.
As Miami faces widespread restaurant closures, broken permitting systems, out-of-control property taxes, and growing civic frustration, Emilio shares why the city is struggling — and what needs to happen now to turn it around.
From infrastructure that hasn’t kept up with explosive growth to bureaucratic inefficiencies hurting small businesses, this episode exposes the operational cracks impacting everyone from residents to restaurateurs.
Whether you’re in hospitality, real estate, development, or Miami politics, this conversation offers a rare, unfiltered look at the city’s biggest challenges — and the bold reforms Emilio believes are necessary to restore accountability, safety, and economic opportunity.
⭐ What You’ll Learn
Why Miami’s permitting, procurement, and bureaucracy are crippling small businesses and restaurants
The root causes behind restaurant closures and hospitality struggles in Miami
How outdated infrastructure is failing a rapidly growing city
Emilio’s plan for property tax reform and easing financial pressure on families
What Miami must fix to become a true world-class city that supports residents, not just tourists
💬 Notable Quotes From Emilio Gonzalez
“We need to do it in a much smarter way… Miami has ballooned, but we still have the same infrastructure.”
“You can’t get a permit. Procurement is awful. The things business needs to be in business — they’re not there.”
“I don’t want to just be the next mayor. I want to be the guy that leaves lasting marks.”
“People do these things when there’s no cost to it — and they end up terrorizing neighborhoods.”
“Corruption is in your face. We need an administration that puts a marker down on day one.”
🎧 Perfect For: Miami residents • restaurateurs • real estate pros • hospitality operators • developers • policy watchers • chefs • small business owners • anyone trying to understand Miami’s political and economic future.