Sanders Introduces Legislation to Support Gov's 30 Percent MWBE Goal

State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village), today introduced legislation (S.6467), that if passed, would require local governments to meet the statewide MWBE goal when awarding contracts funded by state dollars.That figure is currently close to 30 percent, the highest in the nation. 

The bill supports Governor Cuomo's proposal for increasing opportunities for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises as outlined in his State of the State address delivered yesterday, and is the companion bill to A.8700 introduced by Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte of Brooklyn. The Governor noted that such action is needed since many local governments do not have an MWBE requirement and if they do, it is "anemic at best." 

"I applaud the Governor for his leadership and for recognizing the need to address the economic disparities that exist when it comes to awarding state and local government contracts," Sanders said. "The legislation I have introduced today is a step towards leveling the playing field."

During his time in the City Council, Sanders authored Local Law 129 (2005), and Local Law 1 (2013), a type of affirmative action, designed to enhance the ability of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises to compete for city contracts.