HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-17-0160City of Miami
Resolution R-17-0160
Legislation
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.
SPONSOR(S): Commissioner Keon Hardemon
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
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 2055 (Revision:) Printed On: 3/20/2025
File ID: 2055 Enactment Number: R-17-0160
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
4/3/2017
1 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.
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 2055 (Revision:) Printed on: 3/20/2025