THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY WHEATLEY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009

AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MARCH 23, 2009   

A RESOLUTION

Providing for the establishment of a select committee to

investigate the degree to which minority-owned business

enterprises, women-owned business enterprises and

disadvantaged-owned business enterprises have been utilized

in contracts awarded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Over the past two decades numerous legislative

proposals, resolutions, gubernatorial proclamations and

executive orders have encouraged the development of programs,

policies and practices designed to ensure participation by

minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged-owned business

enterprises in contracts and services awarded by the

Commonwealth and its agencies, boards, commissions and

authorities; and

WHEREAS, Federal, State and local government inclusion

programs have existed and operated successfully for nearly three

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decades; and

WHEREAS, Analytical studies reveal the level of the

Commonwealth's performance in the creation of programs to ensure

participation by minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged-

owned business enterprises in contracting, as well as that of

the Federal Government, other states and some local governments;

and

WHEREAS, The findings of these studies evidence the need for

and importance of providing opportunities for the development

and growth of nontraditionally owned small business enterprises;

and

WHEREAS, A national study concluded that a substantial

percentage of newly created jobs are provided by firms that

employ fewer than 20 persons; and

WHEREAS, Not unlike many small businesses, minority-owned,

women-owned and disadvantaged-owned business enterprises have

the potential of producing jobs to help reduce unemployment,

thereby helping the unemployed and underemployed achieve

economic independence; and

WHEREAS, The nation is experiencing a deep economic recession

that has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs a

month nationwide and a high rate of unemployment; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians Statewide have not escaped the

economic downturn and have suffered job loss, loss of health

care benefits and, in some cases, home foreclosures; and

WHEREAS, Small businesses are the backbone of Pennsylvania's

economy; and

WHEREAS, The national and global financial crisis, the high

rate of unemployment, the high cost of goods and services and

the resulting economic depression have combined to require the

development and implementation of activities by the Federal

Government to stimulate the national economy; and

WHEREAS, The Congress is considering legislation, the

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, under which the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania anticipates receiving significant

Federal funds for infrastructure projects and other State

government needs; and

WHEREAS, Congressional passage and Presidential approval of

the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the subsequent

allocation of funds to this Commonwealth make it necessary and

appropriate to ensure that minority-owned, women-owned and

disadvantaged-owned business enterprises are in a position to

participate fully in economic recovery activities anticipated by

the Federal Government; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth appropriates millions of dollars

for infrastructure projects and goods and services annually; and

WHEREAS, Owners of minority-owned, women-owned and

disadvantaged-owned business enterprises have expressed concern

over the failure of the Commonwealth to fully utilize their

businesses in contracting and procurement activities; therefore

be it

RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives

appoint a select committee to consist of seven members, four

from the majority party and three from the minority party, to

investigate the awarding of Commonwealth contracts for the

purpose of ascertaining the degree to which minority-owned,

women-owned and disadvantaged-owned business enterprises have

been awarded Commonwealth contracts between January 1, 19952000,

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and December 31, 2008, the number of all such contracts awarded

by industry classificationappropriate categories, the number

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awarded by subject of business enterprise, the geographic

location of the contracts and the total monetary value of such

contracts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the select committee may hold hearings, take

testimony and make investigations at such places as it deems

appropriate in this Commonwealth; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the work of the select committee include an

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investigation of barriers, including, but not limited to,

institutional barriers and money, management and market barriers

that may constrain participation by minority-owned, women-owned

and disadvantaged-owned business enterprises in this

Commonwealth's contracting and procurement activities and an

identification of any specialized approaches for eliminating

such barriers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the select committee issue a report of its

investigation, which shall include any recommendations the

select committee deems appropriate, to the House of

Representatives within six months of the adoption of this

resolution.