September 26, 2011, BOSTON--The Massachusetts Senate today voted to approve an amendment to help ensure that minority- and women-owned businesses (“MBEs and “WBEs”, respectively), as well as workers of color and women workers have access to the jobs and wealth creation stemming from the development of casinos in Massachusetts.
The Equitable Jobs Access amendment, filed by Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, encourages the Gaming Commission to give extra consideration to applicants engaged in a “joint venture” with a W/MBE. It requires casinos to abide byequal opportunity hiring practices, and strengthens transparencyand accountability mechanisms to track casino operators’ compliance with these goals.
“I’m so proud that the Senate made a commitment today to help ensure that whatever jobs are created through casinos reach those populations hit hardest by unemployment and the growing wealth divide,” said Senator Chang-Díaz.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while nationwide white unemployment was below the national average at eight percent in August, Black unemployment came in at more than twice that rate—16.7 percent. Another statistic shows that 30 percent of very low income households (those earning $22,000 or less) in Massachusetts are of color, while only 10 percent of higher income households (earning above $55,000) are of color.
“We know that people of color face particular hurdles in the job market,” said Senator Chang-Díaz. “In cities and towns across Massachusetts, including in my district, unemployment rates among communities of color are routinely higher than that of their white counterparts. Our communities are also facing a dangerously growing wealth divide. This amendment provides practical, specific solutions toward ensuring that any economic development created by casinos will be equitable and representative of the diversity of our communities.”
The amendment expandsthe criteria that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission uses in determining to whom it will grant a license. Specifically, it allows the board to give extra consideration to joint venture applications so that women and minority investors – more likely to be small, local investors – have a greater shot at an ownership stake in these casinos and the wealth creation that comes as a result.
It also adds transparency and accountability to the hiring and reporting practices of all casino applicants and licensees. It also requires licensees to publicly report on a quarterly basis during the design and construction phases the demographic breakdown of the jobs they’re creating. They must also report annually on their progress towards W/MBE goals, as well as on job creation once they’ve hit the operation phase of the casino.
Senator Chang-Díaz also thanked Senate President Murray for including language from last year’s Equitable Jobs Access amendment in the text of this year’s Senate bill.
“I’m extremely grateful to Senate President Murray and the crafters of this bill for making equitable jobs language a priority in this year’s bill. They created a meaningful foundation for equity and fairness, and their support of this amendment makes that commitment even stronger.”
