8/14/2019 Annise Parker Houston First Policy Brief

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P o l i c y B r i e f i n g

Hire Houstonians FirstAnni se PArke r s P lAn fo r l ocAl H i r ing Andcon t rAc t ing i ncen t ive s

One of the mostbasic and powerful

steps we can takeis to make sure thatour local tax dollarsare working to keepHoustons economy strong.

C ty Co t oll

Annise PArker

In these tough times, our leaders shouldbe doing everything we can to create new

jobs and keep Houstonians working. One o the most basic andpower ul steps we can take is to make sure that our local taxdollars are working to keep Houstons economy strong. Thats why, as Mayor, I will implement Hire Houstonians First a set o power ulincentives and policies to make sure that, whenever possible, we hire Houston frmsthat employ Houstonians or taxpayer-

unded projects.

Cr t or Jo s for Ho sto s

Even in this tough economy, Houston will spend billions o dollars providing essential services and building and maintainingeverything rom streets and bridges to water lines and sidewalks. When these services areprovided by local businesses that hire local residents, our economy benefts.

Houstonians employed by these projects, and the Houston companiesthat proft rom them, will use much o the money they earn to purchasegoods and services rom other local businesses that in turn will use theirearnings to support even more local businesses.

This chain o earning and spending is known as a multiplier and it ispower ul. Estimates can vary. For example, the Congressional BudgetO fce estimates that $1 o in rastructure spending can boost the economy anywhere rom $1 - $2.50. Moodys Economy.coms chie economist pegsit at $1.59.

In any case, investing in our local economy is just good common sense. And in the long run, we will make money or taxpayers as increasedeconomic activity generates more tax revenue or the city.

8/14/2019 Annise Parker Houston First Policy Brief

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S tt th R ht Pr or t s for O r T Doll rs

As Mayor, I will work with stakeholders and Councilmembers to cra t a policy and passan ordinance that incorporates one or more o the ollowing local hire incentives andlocal contracting pre erences and other good ideas developed by my colleagues in thisprocess. And i changes are required in state law, I will work with our state legislators tomake those changes happen.

HiRe HOuSTOn FiRST ORDinanCe. Local Hiring:

B d p f c .The city would award bonus points in the evaluation process toproposals meeting local hiring goals.

Bo u paym t .In the same way that the city pays a bonus to a constructioncontractor or completing a project ahead o schedule, the city would pay a bonus tofrms who meet or exceed local hiring benchmarks.

Local Contracting:

r ght to match low b d.I a local contractors bid is within 10% o the lowest bid,the local frm could match the lowest bid rom a non-local frm and be awarded thecontract.

e ha c d b d p f c .The city already gives a pre erence to local vendorsin tie bids where all else is equal. Under this option, the city would expand thatpre erence to award bonus points to local frms in the evaluation process.

Another option or small local businesses: or small contracts (e.g., under $100,000),the city would grant a pre erence equal to 10% o the bid o the lowest and bestresponsible bidder, and, i a ter taking that pre erence into account the small localbusiness' bid is equal to or less than the lowest bid, the bid or proposal o that smalllocal business would be deemed to be the lowest bid.

M o ty co t act g goal .The citys Minority/Women/Disadvantaged BusinessEnterprise Program sets orth voluntary goals to encourage contracting with MWDBE frms. Under the Hire Houston First program, the voluntary goals wouldbe weighted to give pre erence to MWDBE companies that are locally owned.

LOCaL SOLiCiTaTiOn. City sta would determine i local expertise is available priorto advertising a solicitation or goods and services, and i so, when allowed by state law,limit solicitations to local frms.

COnTRaCT negOTiaTiOnS. Make it city policy to use the city's leverage innegotiating contracts to prioritize local subcontracting and local hiring by bothcontractors and subcontractors.

LeaD by examPLe. The city would give a pre erence to Houston residents, to theextent allowed by law, in the hiring o city employees.

aCCOunTabiLiTy meaSuReS. As Mayor, I will work with the Controller tomeasure the success o Hire Houston First a ter the frst two years, and report thefndings to City Council and the public or re-evaluation o the program.