Posted: | March 16, 2021 11:18 AM |
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From: | Representative Jake Wheatley, Jr. |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Participation in State Procurement Legislation |
Far too many minority, women and veteran disadvantaged small business owners have encountered roadblocks on their path to opportunity. Such roadblocks include reduced access to capital, loans and lines of credit, marketplace discrimination and well-documented barriers. The lack of diversity, inclusion, and small business opportunities in Commonwealth Procurement and in Pennsylvania’s Economy, has undermined fair competition which stifles them from reaching their full economic potential. Governor Tom Wolf agrees with the need for goal setting and results management to ensure and increase diversity, inclusion and small business opportunities in Commonwealth procurement contracts. To advocate for fair and equitable opportunities for the participation of minority, women and veteran disadvantaged small business enterprises, I am introducing language designed to encourage minority, women and veteran disadvantaged business owners to bid for and compete in state and local government bidding opportunities. It addresses impediments of small, minority and veteran disadvantaged business owners and would require state agencies and state-affiliated agencies, including state-owned universities, to significantly increase contracting opportunities for disadvantaged businesses. I hope you’ll join me in sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1070