SENATOR ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS’ LEGISLATION APPROVED BY SENATE; Information Technology Procurement Savings Act Passes with Unanimous Bipartisan Support

State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/WF – 35th District), Chair of the Local Government Committee announced the unanimous passage of her legislation, Senate bill 5600-B, by the full Senate. The measure is designed to provide local governments and school districts with greater contract flexibility in purchasing information technology and telecommunications equipment and services.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins stated, “Empowering local governments and school districts to be more efficient and cost-effective has long been a priority of mine. This bill is one that will help local governments and school districts achieve savings thought the cooperative purchase of essential technology products and services.”

Provisions of the bill include:  

• Allowing localities the option of purchasing information technology and telecommunications hardware, software, and professional services through cooperative purchasing; 

• Allowing any village, town, or county to make purchases through any local school or BOCES district;

•  Authorizing anylocal school or BOCES district to enter into agreements to share procurement contracts for telecommunications and information technology services offered by the department with any village, town, or county.

Senator Stewart-Cousins said that the bill is supported by the New York State Conference of Mayors, as well as the New York State Association of Counties.

“It is crucial, especially during these difficult economic times, to enact policies that help to protect taxpayers of escalating costs. I am pleased that all of my Senate colleagues voted in favor of this mandate relief and cost savings bill and I am hopeful the Assembly will act on this as well,” Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins concluded.