Relates to contracts by service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic5

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Monica Martinez says this is needed

New York State is home to more than 600,000 veterans, one of the largest veteran populations in the United States. Thus, New York State estab- lished the Service -Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise in 2014 to recognize the sacrifices made by veterans who returned from the mili- tary with disabilities, and to provide them with equitable economic opportunity. While the program signaled a meaningful step forward, the current six percent procurement goal has remained for over a decade and no longer reflects the level of opportunity that should be given to our veterans. Despite the creation of the program, actual utilization remains below four percent. As a result, service-disabled veterans are significantly underrepresented in state contracting opportunities. Many service-disabled veterans face barriers when transitioning into civilian careers, including difficulty accessing capital, and competing for large scale procurement contracts. This legislation raises the statewide Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business procurement goal from six percent to eight percent. A eight percent goal creates incentive for state agencies to expand outreach to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and ensure that these entre- preneurs are given a fair opportunity to compete for state contracts. New York has already demonstrated that stronger participation goals can successfully expand access to state contracting through other supplier diversity programs. New York State's Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise currently maintains a thirty percent participation goal. By raising the Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business procurement goal to eight percent, this legislation will expand economic opportunitiesfor our service -disabled veteran entrepreneurs, strengthen small businesses across the state, and promote economic growth across communities. Veter- an owned businesses frequently employ fellow veterans and reinvest in their communities, creating long-term economic benefits throughout New York. This legislation recognizes the sacrifices made by service-disa- bled veterans and ensures they receive a fair and meaningful share of the economic opportunities in the State of New York.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.