Senator Parker Promotes Sunshine Week - Introduces Sunshine Legislation

FROM THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER

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Media Contact: Ricja Rice, Esq.

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rrice@nysenate.gov

For Immediate Release:  Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Senator Parker Promotes Sunshine Week

National initiative seeks to enlighten and empower people to play an active role in their government at all levels.

(Albany, NY) - Yesterday, Senator Kevin  Parker (D21-Brooklyn) celebrated National Sunshine Week by introducing several pieces of the legislation to promote transparency and open government.  In a letter to Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Democratic Leader John Sampson, Senator Parker urged his Senate colleagues to support eight key pieces of legislation including, but not limited to:

State Agency Databases for M/WBEs - Establishes a database to track the issuance of contracts by public authorities and state agencies with minority and women-owned businesses (S. 1080A).

Reporting related to diversity within State Government - Directs the president of the state civil service commission to publish reports annually relating to diversity within state government (S.1484).

“It took several years to establish a meaningful M/WBE program.  It is important to hold our state agencies and public authorities accountable for implementing this program.  Creating a database to track the issuance of contracts between public authorities and state agencies with minority and women-owned businesses ensures that the people’s vision actually becomes a reality.” says Senator Parker. 

“I’m pushing forward sunshine legislation because I believe in the importance of educating our communities on what happens in our government.  As representatives for the people we ought to show the community that we are doing what we promise we will do - our constituents deserve at least that!” Parker continues.

About Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin Parker is committed to restoring the overall quality of life for the constituents of the 21st Senatorial District in Brooklyn.  A lifelong Brooklyn resident, Senator Parker has been a Flatbush resident for more than 30 years.  Having been nurtured, schooled and employed in the district, Senator Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of ethnically diverse community that consists of 311,000 constituents in several communities that include:  Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington and Borough Park.

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