Baltimore Resident Hiring Bill Gets Preliminary OK

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Baltimore City Council has given a preliminary approval to a bill that would require local hiring for contractors.

The bill received preliminary approval Monday and would require contractors and entities that receive $5 million in assistance for city-subsidized projects to make sure 51 percent of jobs are filled by city residents.

The Daily Record of Baltimore reports that the bill sponsored by Council President Jack Young must be reviewed for final passage at the June 3 council meeting before it goes before Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake for approval.

Council members expressed frustration with the city's law department over its insistence that the bill is unconstitutional.

City Solicitor George Nilson has said the proposed bill's goals could be accomplished administratively instead of through legislation.
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