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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item Cover PageAGENDA ITEM COVER PAGE File ID: #2055 Resolution Sponsored by: Commissioner Keon Hardemon A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT AND THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ENACT SENATE BILL 276, HOUSE BILL 275 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CREATE A STATE WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL CREDIT AGAINST THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX FOR BUSINESSES THAT HIRE CERTAIN PERSONS CONVICTED OF A FELONY; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN. City of Miami Legislation Resolution Enactment Number: R-17-0160 City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com File Number: 2055 Final Action Date:4/13/2017 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT AND THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ENACT SENATE BILL 276, HOUSE BILL 275 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CREATE A STATE WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL CREDIT AGAINST THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX FOR BUSINESSES THAT HIRE CERTAIN PERSONS CONVICTED OF A FELONY; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN. WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Corrections reported that 32,921 ex -offenders were released from state correctional facilities and 86,369 ex -offenders were admitted to community control or probation from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014; and WHEREAS, a growing number of those ex -offenders are returning to our community; and WHEREAS, helping ex -offenders obtain employment promotes public safety and decreases the likelihood of recidivism, as employment is crucial to successful re -integration of ex -offenders; and WHEREAS, individuals convicted of a felony face multiple barriers to employment; and WHEREAS, two (2) bills have been filed for consideration during the 2017 session of the Florida Legislature - Senate Bill ("SB") 276 by Senator Randolph Bracy (D—Ocoee) and House Bill ("HB") 275 by Representatives Ramon Alexander (D-Tallahassee) and Patricia Hawkins - Williams (D—Fort Lauderdale); and WHEREAS, SB 276 and HB 275 would allow a credit against the corporate income tax to any business that hires a person who has been convicted of a felony if the person is hired within three (3) years after release from a state prison, or to any business that hires a person who has been convicted of a felony and who is on community control or probation; and WHEREAS, SB 276 and HB 275 would create a credit to businesses that would equal forty percent (40%) of the wages paid to the employee and permit a business to claim credits up to $2,400 for up to five (5) eligible employees during each taxable period; and WHEREAS, SB 276 and HB 275 would create additional incentives for small businesses and minority businesses by increasing the credit to equal fifty percent (50%) of the wages paid to the employee and permit a business to claim credits up to $3,000 for up to five (5) eligible employees during each taxable period; and WHEREAS, under SB 276 and HB 275, before filing for the state work opportunity credit, a business must apply for and receive written notification from the Department of Economic Opportunity certifying that each employee for whom the credit is claimed was previously convicted of a felony and has been hired within three (3) years after release from state prison or has been convicted of a felony and is on community control or probation; and WHEREAS, SB 276 and HB 275 would encourage Florida businesses to hire ex - offenders and would further public safety by reducing recidivism and providing an opportunity for ex -offenders to successfully reintegrate into the community as a gainfully employed person; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals and findings set forth in the Preamble to this Resolution are hereby adopted by reference thereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. The City Commission hereby urges Governor Rick Scott and the members of the Florida Legislature to enact SB 276, HB 275 or similar legislation to create a state work opportunity tax credit that provides an additional credit against the corporate income tax for businesses that hire certain persons convicted of a felony. Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, Senator Randolph Bracy, Representative Ramon Alexander, Representative Patricia Hawkins -Williams, and the Chair and Members of the Miami - Dade County State Legislative Delegation. Section 4. The Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of the Mayor.' APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: ndez, City Attor ey If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.