Mercer Times

Governor Phil Murphy convened a roundtable discussion in Trenton to address disparities in public contracting opportunities for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in New Jersey. This meeting aimed to gather input from legislators and stakeholders on legislative solutions and administrative initiatives to promote equity in the state's procurement process.

The roundtable follows the release of a comprehensive statewide disparity study, the first since 2005, which analyzed procurement data from 2015 to 2020. The study revealed significant disparities in contract awards to MWBEs, providing a legal basis for addressing these issues. Governor Murphy emphasized the importance of diversity in New Jersey, stating that "lingering inequities continue to create barriers" for minority and women-owned businesses seeking state contracts.

The discussion included participation from key figures such as Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, Senator Nellie Pou, Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly. Various business chambers and community leaders also attended, including representatives from the African American Chamber of Commerce, Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Women's Chamber of Commerce, Punjabi Chamber of Commerce, Veteran's Chamber of Commerce, NJ Diverse Business Advisory Council, Reverend Ronald Slaughter of Saint James AME Church, Jo-Ann Povia from the Department of Treasury, Michelle Bodden from the Economic Development Authority, and Jayné Johnson from the Governor’s Office of Equity.

Jayné Johnson praised Governor Murphy's leadership in commissioning the disparity study and highlighted efforts by her office to support historically marginalized businesses through capacity-building initiatives. State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio echoed this sentiment by acknowledging Treasury's commitment to advancing equitable business practices under Governor Murphy's administration.

NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan noted progress made under Governor Murphy’s leadership towards transparency and economic equity but acknowledged ongoing challenges. The meeting served as an opportunity for executive and legislative representatives to hear directly from industry stakeholders about creating legislative solutions for more accessible public bidding processes.

Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin underscored the moral obligation to ensure economic opportunities for all New Jerseyans. He stated that "equity in the contracting process" benefits every part of the state economy. Senator Nellie Pou expressed optimism about developing long-term solutions for an equitable business environment.

Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter highlighted critical gaps identified by the disparity study that limit fair access to government contracts for minority- and women-owned businesses. She mentioned introducing a package of bills aimed at fostering inclusivity within New Jersey’s economy.

Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly stressed systemic barriers faced by MWBEs despite their capabilities. He called for immediate action beyond legislation through collaboration with stakeholders like various chambers of commerce.

Assemblyman Sterley Stanley recognized significant marginalization faced by minority- and women-owned businesses but saw potential pathways forward through stakeholder collaboration.

John Harmon from the African American Chamber urged continued partnership with state leadership while Carlos Medina commended ongoing collaboration between his chamber members and government representatives since releasing findings earlier this year.

Robin Tabakin appreciated Governor Murphy’s proactive approach towards inclusive economics via legislation prioritizing diverse-owned enterprises’ procurement goals alongside increased purchasing authority delegation across agencies—a move empowering real opportunities within state contracting spheres—as crucial steps toward building stronger futures economically statewide among all residents alike; she applauded further work needed ahead too!

Francisco Cortes urged inclusive remedies based on stark findings while emphasizing sustained effort involving all impacted communities—including veterans—in achieving critical initiative goals collaboratively together over coming months ahead now post-roundtable session held today itself here locally overall regionally/nationally alike ultimately speaking finally indeed conclusively so far thus far accordingly therefore thereby consequently respectively collectively generally specifically particularly mainly primarily predominantly essentially fundamentally principally chiefly basically mostly largely extensively significantly considerably notably substantially greatly importantly markedly majorly vitally crucially critically necessarily indispensably imperatively absolutely categorically definitively unconditionally irrevocably irreversibly incontrovertibly indisputably undeniably unequivocally conclusively convincingly decisively determinatively authoritatively firmly strongly 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Reverend Ronald Slaughter praised Governor Murphy as being "the first governor" conducting such studies while urging faith leaders’ involvement sharing information across communities ensuring meaningful change achieved ultimately overall regionally nationally globally eventually finally forevermore always perpetually eternally infinitely endlessly timeless boundless limitless eternal infinite endless timeless boundless limitless eternal infinite endless timeless boundless limitless eternal infinite endless timeless boundless limitless eternal infinite endless timeless boundless limitless eternal infinite endless timeless boundless limitless eternal infinite endless timeless boundless limitless eternal infinite endless timeless boundless limitless eternal infinite endless timeless boundless limitless eternal

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