DOT Proposes Initiatives to Give Local Workers a Boost
A proposed new pilot program will explore new ways to make it easier for states and cities to hire local residents.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced a proposal for a new pilot program that will explore ways to make it easier for states and cities to hire local residents for transportation projects, according to a DOT release.
"Local workers often have the greatest stake in local road and transit projects, but federal rules make it hard for communities to ensure that their workers reap some of the benefits and that’s just not right," Foxx said. "We want to create ladders of opportunities for them, as well as for low-income workers and veterans, to help put some of the transportation investments we make in the hands of those who would benefit most."
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, and Birmingham Mayor William Bell joined the secretary for the announcement. "When we invest in L.A. infrastructure, we want to maximize our investment in L.A. jobs, and this provides us with a new way forward to boost our local economy as we cut traffic and fight smog," Garcetti said. "I thank Secretary Foxx for his commitment to strengthening my city and communities across the nation."