For Immediate Release July 12, 2013

Contact: Jens Sutmoller, Campaign Manager 513-266-7810

QUALLS WELCOMES CRANLEYS INTEREST IN MINORITY INCLUSION PROGRAMS

(Walnut Hills) -- Roxanne Qualls welcomed her opponents interest in minority inclusion that he announced today at a press conference. Qualls, who served as Mayor from 1993-1999 said, I am very proud that during the time I was Mayor I oversaw record high levels of participation by minority and women owned companies in City contracting, construction and professional services. I am also very proud of being Mayor when we put in place the Citys original MBE and WBE program. Unfortunately, after I left the Mayors office, City Council chose not to conduct another required Croson study to maintain a WBE/MBE program, and failing to do so, put in place the current ineffective Small Business Enterprise program. John Cranley chose not to address this issue in 2002. I am glad he now recognizes his error. Qualls continued saying, We need to fund a Croson Study to ensure that all business owners have an equal shot at participating in City contracts for construction, purchasing and professional services. In 1997, the City of Cincinnatis minority spending reached 22.4% and after a 2004 legal challenge and subsequent inaction of City Council at the time minority spending hit a low of 2.9% in 2007. Qualls has a plan posted on her website to increase job opportunities for all city residents. The 7-point plan places a strong emphasis on minority inclusion and investment, including, Creating a Technology Industry Inclusion Council to increase minority employment in technology firms, increasing minority ownership of technology firms and creating a pipeline from Cincinnati Public Schools into high-tech jobs. Increased collaboration with the African American and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce to identify new start-ups, match entrepreneurs with resources and identify new and existing minority businesses in areas undergoing redevelopment. A commitment to conduct a Croson Study to ensure minority and women owned businesses get a greater share of city government contracts.

Qualls Record: Since returning to council in 2007, Qualls supported partnering with the African American Chamber of Commerce on the Open Cincinnati Study and supported the implementation of the reports recommendations. Qualls introduced a motion in March 2009 to conduct a disparity study to allow the City of Cincinnati to invest in race and gender-based programs. A detailed jobs plan can be found on her website, RoxanneQualls.com, or at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/153382929/Jobs-Opportunity-for-all-Cincinnatians ###
Paid for by Citizens for Qualls, Joan Perkins- Treasurer, 2 Garfield Place 300C, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Printed In-House Labor Donated