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Dylan Passmore (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dylanpassmore/5583309089/)
The city is trying a new approach to get local contractors to hire District residents.
Despite tough laws on the books requiring contractors doing business with the city to hire D.C. residents, audits show that it's rare for contractors to meet these mandates, and even rarer to be punished for violating them.
That's why the city is trying a new approach.
Mayor Vincent Gray says the city will now be offering contractors incentives, rather than just promising penalties. A new program offers financial incentives to local contractors who hire D.C. residents.
The city tried the tactic with modernization projects at five D.C. schools. "To date, 110 D.C. residents have been successfully been placed and they are working exactly 51 percent of the hours of these projects; the goal was 35 percent," says Gray.
Gray says the program will be expanded to other projects.
NPR
China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?
China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.NPR
Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame
The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.NPR
IRS Official In Charge Of Nonprofits Declines To Testify
Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says. She is accused of closely scrutinizing conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status.NPR
Microsoft Reveals New Xbox One Game System
Microsoft unveiled its new Xbox One Tuesday, displaying a device that takes new steps in game consoles' journey into becoming all-purpose entertainment and communication devices. The new console replaces the Xbox 360, which has been on the market for more than seven years.Leave a Comment
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