FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(PHILADELPHIA,PA) Thursday, May 10, 2012 – Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown introduced a bill changing how the City awards contracts by increasing the bidding preference for Philadelphia owned firms from 5% to 10%. In cases where outside companies closely outbid those based in Philadelphia, this measure will help tilt the scale to the local firm, assuring that Philadelphia taxpayer dollars are helping support Philadelphia companies, creating jobs and growing the local economy. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown has noticed a consistent pattern during city budget hearings where large scale contracts are being awarded to companies outside of Philadelphia. “We need to ensure that when we spend the money of Philadelphia taxpayers on goods and services that our priority is to create more new jobs for Philadelphians. We purchase millions of dollars worth of goods and services from companies outside of Philadelphia when we have local citizens who stand ready, equipped and willing to do the work,” said Reynolds Brown. “The ideal model for generating more revenue for the City is not raising taxes, it is creating more taxpayers through local job creation. I hope that this measure will keep more of Philadelphia’s money in Philadelphia.” The bill was co-sponsored by Councilman W. Wilson Goode, Jr., Chair of Council’s Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, and longtime advocate for fairness in local contracting.
