In other Haiti news, the Miami Herald reports at least two politically connected US firms have begun jockeying for lucrative reconstruction contracts. The firms, Florida-based AshBritt and DRC Group of Alabama, have already held separate meetings with Haitian President René Préval. AshBritt has attracted controversy for a $900 million government contract after Hurricane Katrina. Critics say AshBritt was favored over local contractors in part through its donations to influential political lobbyists.