HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE TO FOLLOW THE FIRST SOURCE HIRING ORDINANCE MANDATES

H8043

2026 -- H 8043
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LC005889
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
URGING THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE TO FOLLOW THE FIRST SOURCE HIRING
ORDINANCE MANDATES

Introduced By:
Representatives Morales, Sanchez, Cruz, and Potter

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Municipal Government & Housing
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WHEREAS, Chapter 21, Article III1/2, sec 21-91.1 of the Code of Ordinances of the City
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of Providence ordained that "all significant public investments of taxpayer dollars require that
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employers utilize the Providence First Source List for jobs created as a result of the public
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investment"; and
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WHEREAS, It is furthermore required that the failure of businesses to notify First Source
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about job openings, the failure to notify about job openings before advertising to the public, and
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the failure to allow access to relevant records shall result in termination or suspension of aid or
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funding, termination of contract recovery of any public benefit, withholding of future payments,
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and suspension or termination of doing business or receiving funds from the City for a minimum
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of two years; and
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WHEREAS, Businesses in the City of Providence are not all complying with the
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requirements of the Ordinance, yet the City of Providence has failed to uphold the provisions of
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this Ordinance by refusing to enforce the provisions and penalties outlined in the First Source
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Ordinance; and
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WHEREAS, Language specified within sec 21-91.1(8) of the Ordinance states that
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"Unless the City's citizens are provided with an opportunity to be hired on projects that their tax
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dollars fund, unemployment will remain high, property values will further decline, foreclosures
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will increase, crime will also increase, and the City will not be able to pay for or provide essential
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public works projects, social programs, and incentives to the private sector that will induce

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economic activity"; and
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WHEREAS, First Source Providence was established in 1986 with the sole purpose of
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connecting working class, low-income, City residents with employers in the City of Providence
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with job opportunities and job training; however, there are many available and qualified residents,
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who live and pay taxes in the City of Providence who need jobs and are not being provided with
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the opportunities required by the City's duly adopted Code of Ordinances; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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strongly urges the City of Providence to follow the First Source Hiring Ordinance mandates and
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enforce the rules and/or penalties on those businesses not complying; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Brett Smiley, Mayor of the City
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of Providence, the Honorable Rachel Miller, President of the Providence City Council, and
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Wedley Thelemaque, First Source Director, City of Providence.
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LC005889
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