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Green denounces measures seeking to redefine Minority and Women Business Enterprise

 

“Following my three-year tenure as head of the Office of Equal Opportunity, I find it concerning that after 30 years of bipartisan support, legislation continues to surface that harms the minority and women business enterprise.

“Measures have been filed in both chambers, House Bill 1631 and Senate Bill 802, that would expand the definition of ‘minority business enterprise’ and ‘women’s business enterprise’ to include a Missouri non-profit corporation that has a majority of individuals serving on the board of directors and corporate officers who are members of a minority or women. In Missouri, there are 1,615 certified M/WBE, which oversee 60% of state contracts. With this in mind, what exactly is preventing 10% of minorities and 5% of women of M/WBE from acquiring state contracts?

“The purpose of implementing MBE and WBE programs in Missouri was to first and foremost encourage diversity in the workforce and empower economically disadvantaged minorities and women to become businessmen and businesswomen. The redefinition of these programs diminishes the opportunity for individuals to participate in boosting the economy, which in 2016 assisted in the generation of approximately $190 million in economic revenue for Missouri.

“The issue at hand isn’t the inability of these individuals to participate in joint ventures, partnerships, or corporations, but the lack of opportunity provided to them. The positive economic impact MBE and WBE programs have had on the state of Missouri is without question a great indication of their ability to successfully function and bring in a substantial amount of revenue. I call on my colleagues to denounce such legislation and instead advance measures that will provide minority citizens and women with a fair opportunity to be productive members of society.”

State Rep. Alan Green, D-Florissant

District 67