[Kreweoftruth] Council President Fielkow files resolution opposing H.B. 1153

[cbrylski at aol.com]

Council President Fielkow Files Resolution Opposing Legislative Effort to Obstruct Local and DBE Contracting Requirements; UDAG Reform Ordinance Also Offered
 
With the hope of quashing the latest effort to limit local and disadvantaged business participation, New Orleans City Council President Arnie Fielkow has submitted Resolution No. R-10-173 opposing Rep. Eddie Lambert’s House Bill 1153, which would repeal requirements for selecting Disadvantaged Business Enterprises as subcontractors.
 
Locally owned businesses and socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, coined DBE’s, received a boost last summer after the City Council’s unanimous passage of an ordinance codifying local and DBE goals for municipal contracts. The current draft of Lambert’s HB 1153, up for vote during the Legislature’s Regular Session, now threatens the progress made in New Orleans regarding codified local and DBE goals.
 
“Small businesses are the backbone of any strong economy, especially socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, and they should be afforded equitable opportunities when it comes to government contracts,” said Fielkow. “Rep. Lambert’s bill, as written, repeals the state provision allowing municipal authorities to apply DBE requirements for subcontracting. Passage of this legislation would be harmful to these business owners, particularly in this time of economic difficulty and post-hurricane recovery.”
 
The city’s codified DBE ordinance established a goal that 50 percent of any project funded by the city must be controlled by local businesses. It also establishes an overall goal that 35 percent of any project funded by the city must be controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. The resolution will be up for vote at Thursday’s regular council meeting. 
 
Councilman Fielkow also will file for first reading at Thursday’s regular meeting Ordinance Calendar No. 27,942, which mandates council approval for all generations of Urban Development Action Grant allocations by the city. After its introduction Thursday, Councilman Fielkow will include this legislation on the agenda of the council’s Economic Development Committee, which he chairs.  The Economic Development Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13 at 10 a.m.
 
Also submitted for Thursday’s regular meeting is Resolution No. R-10-163, which renews the council’s stated desire for the return of Amtrak’s Sunset Limited line. The return of the passenger rail service between New Orleans and Orlando, Fielkow says, would revitalize the area surrounding Union Passenger Terminal and all of the New Orleans Central Business District.
 
“The Sunset Limited Line is of great value to New Orleans and to all of the Gulf Coast in terms of creating jobs and creating a tangible economic impact on Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida,” said Fielkow. “The return of this service would also benefit the entire country by providing a link to the Gulf Coast from the Midwest and West Coast. With this additional resolution, I hope Congress will gain understanding of how vital this service is to the region and promptly act by appropriating proper funding.”   
 
 
When: Thursday, April 8, 10 a.m.
 
Where: New Orleans City Council Chamber
             1300 Perdido Street
 
Who:    New Orleans City Council
 


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