Gray Signs Bill Promoting Hiring of District Residents

Photo by Eric Gilliland

At his weekly press conference earlier today, Mayor Vince Gray signed into law a bill that strengthen’s the city’s “First Source” law requiring government-assisted projects to fill at least 51 percent of any jobs created with District residents.

The bill was pushed through the D.C. Council earlier this month by Michael A. Brown (I-At Large), who joined Gray at the signing ceremony along with Council Chairman Kwame Brown.

Much of the legislation deals with strengthening the hand of the District’s Department of Employment Services in enforcing the First Source rules. Under the bill, DOES will have greater authority to develop hiring and reporting practices for ventures that receive government aid. The stricter guidelines will apply first to those projects receiving at least $5 million in District funds, and all government-assisted projects will continue to be subject to the 51 percent requirement.

Full story here- http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/21/law-aims-to-put-more-dc-residents-in-jobs/