A D.C. law named “First Source” dating back to 30 years ago requires firms and construction companies to hire workers locally from the District, which has been hampering developmental works, according to the critics of the law.
The law is enforced by the Department of Employment Services (DOES). Big public subsidies in D.C. are compelled to hire residents for new positions under this law. The office of D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson, in its report published in April this year, had determined that DOES was unable to enforce 80 percent of the law’s provisions thoroughly.
Those opposing the law, including lawmakers, executives, and budget analysts, say that it is troublesome for contractors and not in tune with the economy of D.C.
“First Source is essentially a feel-good thing we do to say that developers have done something for D.C. residents. But it makes criminals out of employers [who are unable to comply with it], and embarrasses the government,” said Yesim Sayin Taylor, the executive director of the D.C. Policy Center.
Under the First Source law, construction companies are also obligated to file monthly reports showing that they are making efforts to hire D.C. residents.
In 2010, the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute released a report, co-authored by now-At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman, stating that “there is a skills mismatch between D.C. residents seeking work and jobs available.”
“Despite using DOES resources to find qualified workers, employers have reported that there just wasn’t a pool of skilled laborers in the District,” said Lawrence Perry, the deputy auditor.