1/We thank @PaulFeeneyMA for working with @BECMAinc on issues affecting diversity in construction. Today’s amendment & debate are a step in the right direction. Ready to work on systemic solutions to foster opportunity & end exclusionary practices. #mapoli https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/29/metro/under-pressure-mass-senate-creates-panel-help-ensure-400-million-soldiers-home-project-includes-minority-owned-firms/

2/“Facing pressure from Black-owned businesses, the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a $600 million bill that effectively requires a new state soldiers’ home be built using collective bargaining...” #mapoli

3/“... but while under the watch of a new committee to help ensure it involves women and minority-owned firms — and bars bidders who’ve failed to hire enough in the past.” #mapoli

4/“... @BECMAinc wrote to legislative leaders on Wednesday arguing that however well-intentioned they are, the labor agreements usually require contractors to hire solely from union halls, where ‘most Black construction workers and other workers of color do not belong.’” #mapoli

5/"In practice, a project labor agreement — known as a PLA — can also shut out minority-owned construction firms, which are often nonunionized, from using their own workforce, wrote @revrenddoctor, the Boston-based group’s president and chief executive." #mapoli

6/“‘This a down payment,’ said Samuel Gebru, the council’s director of policy and public affairs. ‘In terms of piecemeal [solutions], we see this as a win. But we’re just getting started. . . . It’s not the systemic solution.’” #mapoli

7/The list is long, but special thanks to @PaulFeeneyMA @SenJohnVelis @SoniaChangDiaz @AdamGomezMA @nickcollinsma @SalDiDomenico @JamieEldridgeMA & many others in the Massachusetts Senate for taking our concerns seriously. As always, @BECMAinc is here to engage & inform. #mapoli