Will D.C. Give Millions in Tax Cuts to a Company With a Record of Racially Discriminatory Hiring

[TexasTowelie]

Will D.C. Give Millions in Tax Cuts to a Company With a Record of Racially Discriminatory Hiring Practices?


Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans are pushing a $5.9 million tax break for an international company that has a history of racially discriminatory hiring practices in D.C.

In 2016, Chemonics International agreed to pay nearly $500,000 to settle a U.S. Department of Labor finding that the company denied jobs to qualified African-Americans. The DOL found that of the 124 African-Americans who applied for entry-level jobs in 2011, none were hired.

Earlier this week, Evans proposed the Bowser-backed tax abatement for Chemonics, which currently employs about 1,200 people between its two offices in the District and Crystal City. The abatement, Evans argues, would lure the company to establish a new headquarters in the District and could potentially bring 500 new employees.

Some council members expressed concern about the DOL's finding, and At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman introduced an amendment to quash the deal. The underlying bill includes an abatement for EAB Global. Silverman's bill would remove the abatement for Chemonics.

Read more: https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/news/loose-lips/article/21035400/will-dc-give-millions-in-tax-cuts-to-company-with-a-record-of-racially-discriminatory-hiring-practices