S95

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by the Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, Senator Ronald L. Rice, and caucus member Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham which requires the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) to report on the number of contracts awarded to minority- and women-owned businesses was signed into law yesterday by Governor Christie.

“As New Jersey residents continue to come to grips with the effects of the national and global economic crisis, it’s important that we make sure that everyone has a chance to recover,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “New Jersey’s policy of setting aside public contracts for minority- and women-owned businesses has been a useful tool in providing opportunities to business owners who may otherwise be disregarded because of the color of their skin or because of their gender. This new law will protect contract set-asides by ensuring public reporting and transparency of contracts for minority- and women-owned businesses.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by the Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, Senator Ronald L. Rice, and caucus member Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham which would require the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) to report on the number of contracts awarded to minority- and women-owned businesses was approved by the Assembly today by a vote of 73-5, receiving final legislative approval.

“Particularly when our State and national economies are struggling, contract set-asides are vital to ensuring that economic recovery isn’t restricted to companies owned by white men,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “As we seek to build state-of-the-art educational facilities in our communities in need, we have to make sure that all contractors are given fair consideration. Too often, women and minority contractors are written off, but this bill will make sure that New Jersey is living up to its responsibility to create recovery diversity among all contractors in the Garden State.”

TRENTON – Two measures sponsored by Senators Ronald L. Rice and Sandra Bolden Cunningham which would examine and help to increase opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses have been unanimously approved by the full Senate.

One measure, S-95, would direct the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) to examine and compile biannual reports detailing the number of school construction contracts that have been awarded to minority and women-owned businesses. The reports would have to include information on the total value of the contracts, and the percentage of those contracts as they relate to the total number that have been awarded by the SDA over the six months prior to the issuance of the report. Reports would be submitted to the Governor and the Joint Budget Oversight Committee.

TRENTON – Two measures sponsored by Senators Ronald L. Rice and Sandra Bolden Cunningham which would examine and help to increase opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses were today approved by Senate committees.

One measure, S-95, which was unanimously approved by the Senate Education Committee, would direct the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) to examine and compile biannual reports detailing the number of school construction contracts that have been awarded to minority and women-owned businesses. The reports would have to include information on the total value of the contracts, and the percentage of those contracts as they relate to the total number that have been awarded by the SDA over the six months prior to the issuance of the report. Reports would be submitted to the Governor and the Joint Budget Oversight Committee.

“It is only fitting that we make sure minority and women-owned businesses have a seat at the table when it comes to awarding these school construction contracts,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “These communities contain a great deal of talent; talent that is often passed over when these contracts are being considered. By requiring the Schools Development Authority to maintain this list, we would help to ensure that all of the State’s qualified talent is given an opportunity to excel.”

“Through this bill, we are hoping to level the playing field when it comes to awarding school construction contracts here in New Jersey,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson. “It’s not as if there is a lack of qualified minority and women-owned construction companies, but too often, these businesses are not given the opportunity to compete for these lucrative contracts. By requiring the issuance of these reports, and requiring them to be reviewed by the Joint Budget Oversight Committee and the Governor, we would be establishing a two-tiered system of oversight, to ensure that equal access to school construction contracts is granted.”