State Senator Patty Ritchie today was appointed by Governor Cuomo to serve on a bipartisan, public private Task Force examining ways to increase opportunities for local businesses that are run by women and minorities.
Senator Ritchie is one of just three Upstate lawmakers named to the 29-member Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise Team that also includes her North Country colleague, Sen. Betty Little of Queensbury.
The Governor created the panel to find ways to increase opportunities for qualified businesses to gain access to state and local government procurement contracts.
"I was very pleased that Gov. Cuomo has chosen to reach across political and geographic lines, and to include representatives of the private sector, to find ways to increase opportunities for more New Yorkers," Senator Ritchie said. "With only three upstate legislators chosen to serve on the panel, I will be working to see how we can work together to increase opportunities for businesses that are based in rural areas, towns and small cities, like those found throughout Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties.
"Even with necessary cuts and downsizing, New York State government will still spend over $100 billion next year, creating opportunities for local businesses to provide goods and services, and create jobs," Senator Ritchie said.
“Right now, many local businesses are losing out by current rules for participating in state contracts. At a time when so many of our neighbors and friends are unemployed, it is critical that we carefully scrutinize well-intentioned state programs to make sure they are not having unintended consequences for state agencies, local governments and the private sector,” Senator Ritchie said.
