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Cleveland sues to keep law requiring local hiring on public projects

The City of Cleveland is suing to keep its law that requires hiring some local residents on public projects. 

The City of Cleveland is suing to keep its law that requires hiring some local residents on public projects.

A just-passed state law bans that.

Mayor Frank Jackson called it an effort to make sure that city residents share in the prosperity and paychecks generated by publicly funded projects in the city.

Cleveland is suing to block a new state law which bans cities like Cleveland, Akron and Columbus from requiring contractors on projects using tax dollars to hire city residents.

The 12-year-old Fannie Lewis Law in Cleveland puts the hiring mandate at at least 20 percent.

The mayor and other speakers made their remarks behind a small bust of Lewis.

Construction worker Damon Johnson says he was hired because of the program 10 years ago.

He was working a dead-end telemarketing job.

Now, he makes almost $31 an hour as a laborer.

"It's helped me provide for my family, put my son through college and put my daughter in college now," he said.

In May, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 180, which bans local hiring requirement laws.

The Republican sponsors from more rural parts of the state argued that the hiring laws impacted their residents chances of getting contracts and jobs in big cities.

City lawyers argue that the state law illegally preempts Cleveland's home-rule authority under the state constitution and does not have a statewide impact.

Cleveland has been largely unsuccessful in arguing cases trying to preserve it's home rule on matters including predatory lending, local gun laws and a residency requirements.

It has won some lesser battles.

But the mayor argues that debating the fine legal points of law is not the main issue.

He said the law was passed not to end or reduce construction and development in Cleveland, but to prevent local residents from sharing in it's benefits.

"They made sure they didn't stop those billions of dollars of investment. All they did was determine who benefited from it, "Jackson said, his voice rising.

He believes the law is intended to prevent possible similar requirements on projects sing federal highway dollars within city limits.

Jackson said he had talked to Governor John Kasich before he signed the bill, but he declined to elaborate on the governor's response.

"You'll have to talk to him," he said.

Kasich has promoted measures that advance local and minority hiring on the Opportunity Corridor Project.

From Kasich's Press Secretary Emmalee Kalmbach came this comment.

"There have been healthy discussions on the best ways to address local hiring and we look forward to working with local stakeholders to advance those goals and to move forward with a successful Opportunity Corridor Project."

David Wondolowski, head of the Building Trades Council, pointed out the seeming inconsistency of Republicans who argue for smaller government and less interference in local matters passing such a law.

State Representative Kevin Boyce from Columbus, who attended the press conference announcing the city's appeal by chance, said the law is hurting his city, too.

"It's 20 percent and I think that's a reasonable amount. The best social service program you can provide is a paying job," he said.

Cleveland's Democratic lawmakers fought to keep the law.

Jackson claimed the measure has provided Clevelanders with $34 million paychecks over the last three years.

That's money the city collects income tax on.

Damon Johnson calls the law "a no-brainer."

"We pay the taxes in the city," he said. "We live in the city, so why shouldn't we be allowed to help and build it up?" Johnson said.

The law is scheduled to take affect August 31, which is 90 days after the governor signed it.

The city is attempting to block its taking effect.

It seems unlikely any current workers would lose their jobs. It's possible many Cleveland residents may not get the chance Damon did if the law stays voided.

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