Uptown Senator Alcántara And Others Hail Governor’s Signature Of Groundbreaking MW/BE Bill

State Senator Marisol Alcántara (D-Manhattan) and Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D-Queens) issued statements today praising Governor Andrew Cuomo for his signature of their bill, the Expanding Opportunity Act.

The Act levels the playing field between city and state programs to encourage the use of MW/BE’s for government contracts.

State Senator Marisol Alcántara said: “I am pleased that my signature first-term piece of legislation, the Expanding Opportunity Act, was signed into law by the governor during the holiday season. I worked closely with the legislative leadership, the mayor’s team, and the governor’s team to make sure that this law passed the legislature and received the governor’s signature. This bill will be transformative for thousands of female and minority small business owners who will be incentivized to join the city’s MW/BE certification program. I look forward to working with the MW/BE community to make sure that this additional flexibility for the mayor’s office is used to the maximum possible benefit for historically disadvantaged communities of color.”

“I’m proud to sponsor this groundbreaking legislation raising the contract amount minority and women owned businesses can compete for from $20,000 to $150,000 in New York City.This will increase opportunities for MWBE’s to participate in our local economy” said Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman. “For far too long the maximum threshold did not meet the reality of today’s market creating a true barrier to addressing the disparities in city contracting. Thank you to Governor Cuomo, Senator Marisol Alcantara, Mayor de Blasio and his team for helping ensure small businesses can participate in New York’s future. As economic development projects begin in Southeast Queens, I look forward to working with the administration to ensure MWBE’s play an integral role in shaping our community.”