What businesses need to know about how Prop N may change contracting in Brownsville

Most cities already have a local business preference rating scale as a general policy during government contracting, but in Brownsville, voters are expected to approve changes to the city’s charter on Nov. 3 that would take immediate effect and change the landscape. 

Austin-based progressive political organizing group Ground Game Texas surveyed Brownsville voters about changes they would like to see in their city, and leaders say they heard residents wanted more transparency, access to jobs, safety for workers, and a “keep it local” model for taxpayer-funded contracts worth at least $1 million and one cent or more. 

Organizers secured more than 8,000 signatures of registered city voters for the Brownsville First Jobs and Contracts Policy, now on the ballot as Proposition N. 

The idea is that any companies hired for taxpayer-funded projects will make a good-faith effort to hire local talent and offer preference to local and small businesses — while staying under the framework of state law, which prohibits local governments from enacting new laws that contradict state rule.