What's happening
This bill allows Westchester County to require public works contractors to hire residents from high-unemployment, high-poverty local communities.
Why it matters
Targets economic inequality. by requiring contractors to direct a meaningful share (10-30%) of labor spending on public works to residents from the local communities most affected by unemployment and poverty, potentially improving incomes and opportunities for those most in need.
Creates tiered hiring requirements. based on the severity of unemployment and poverty in a given community, so that areas struggling the most receive the greatest benefit from public projects.
Allows for annual data-driven adjustments. by mandating that unemployment and poverty rates be recalculated each year using government statistics or census data, which helps ensure the program targets the right communities as economic conditions change.
Provides pathways for marginalized groups. by allowing Westchester County to require hiring of formerly incarcerated individuals in re-entry programs and to mandate apprenticeship/training programs in construction trades, potentially reducing recidivism and building a skilled local workforce.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Hire Locals for County Contracts
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 3887b
- Amend and recommit to local governments
- Print number 3887a
- Amend and recommit to local governments
- Referred to local governments
- Referred to local governments
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Local Hires for Contracts
In Senate Committee · Local Government · Sponsor Jamaal Bailey
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3887--B
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PRETLOW -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments -- recommitted to the Committee on Local Governments in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- again reported from said committee with amendments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to allowing Westchester county to require bidders for public works, construction or purchase contracts to hire and retain persons residing in certain targeted communities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general municipal law is amended by adding a new section 103-h to read as follows:
§ 103-h. Contracts for public works in Westchester county; targeted communities. 1. For the purposes of this section, a "targeted community" shall mean any city, town, or village or census tract within a municipality, within a county where the combined average of the unemployment rate and the poverty rate of such community is greater than the combined countywide average of unemployment and poverty rate by ten percent.
2. Notwithstanding any provision of law, the county of Westchester may require the lowest responsible bidder for all public works, construction or purchase contracts to hire and retain persons residing in certain targeted communities having the highest rates of unemployment within such county.
3. The county may require that:
a. at least ten percent of the labor costs of construction contracts awarded by the county be spent to hire persons residing in the targeted communities within that county;
b. at least twenty percent of the labor costs of construction contracts be spent to hire persons residing in the targeted communities,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08618-04-8
A. 3887--B 2
if the combined average unemployment and poverty rate for a targeted community is greater than twenty percent of the combined countywide average of unemployment rate and the poverty rate; and
c. at least thirty percent of the labor costs of construction contracts cost be spent to hire persons residing in the targeted communities if the combined average community unemployment and poverty rate is greater than thirty percent of the combined countywide average of unemployment rate and the poverty rate.
4. The combined average unemployment rate and poverty rate shall be computed annually based on statistics published by the New York state bureau of labor statistics or similar government agencies for the period ending December thirty-first of the year preceding the year in which the contract is awarded. The county, in its sole discretion, may use the most recent United States census data in determining the unemployment rate and poverty rate of a targeted community or combined countywide unemployment rate and poverty rate instead of data published by the New York state bureau of labor statistics. The combined average shall be the sum of the preceding year end unemployment rate plus the preceding year end poverty rate divided by two.
5. The combined average unemployment rate and poverty rate shall be established annually by resolution or local law of the county. The county may require bidders to hire and retain persons who were previously incarcerated and who are participating in a re-entry program in such county.
6. The county may require the lowest responsible bidder to establish apprenticeship and training programs for workers residing within the targeted communities in certain construction trades specified in a resolution or local law passed by such county.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.