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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Ronald G. Waters State
Rep. Jake Wheatley
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PLBC to hold forums across Pa. on inclusive use of federal stimulus funds
HARRISBURG, April 1 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus held a press conference Wednesday to announce details of its statewide effort to ensure that Pennsylvania women- and minority-owned businesses receive a fair share of federal stimulus money.
PLBC Chairman Ronald G. Waters, D-Phila./Delaware; Vice Chairman Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny; and other members of the PLBC were joined by Tucker Ferguson of the state Department of Transportation and a representative from the state Department of Environmental Protection to announce six community economic stimulus forums.
The general schedule for the forums is as follows -- additional details will be released when available:
· Philadelphia: Local Union 332, 8:30 a.m. April 8
· Pittsburgh: Community College of Allegheny County, 11 a.m. April 9
· Harrisburg: Forum Building, 8:30 a.m. April 20
· Erie: Booker T. Washington Center, 8:30 a.m. April 30
· Lehigh Valley: Lehigh University, 3 p.m. May 6
· Chester: TBA
"The stimulus money is not only investing in the safety of our infrastructure but in the creation of new jobs, including new green technology jobs," Waters said. "We want to make sure that these new job opportunities are accessible to minority, disadvantaged and women-owned businesses because they deserve equal opportunity.
"The forums will educate communities across the state so everyone is given the same information and chance in real time to be a part of Pennsylvania's economic recovery."
PLBC Vice Chairman Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, said, "We have received complaints and inquiries from minority-owned and women-owned businesses in Pennsylvania expressing concerns that state government is not fully using their services in contracting and procurement activities. Being fully inclusive is even more important now that hundreds of millions more dollars will be coming through state government as a result of the federal stimulus package."
Last week, Wheatley won House approval for his resolution (H.R. 78) establishing a select committee to review whether enough is being done to ensure participation in state contracts and purchasing from minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged-owned businesses. The select committee will review state contracting from 2000 through 2008. Wheatley's resolution requires the committee to report its findings and any recommendations within six months.
Waters, who supported and voted in favor of HR 78, felt this measure was important in increasing diversity in ongoing state projects.
"The state has historically not done enough in diversity inclusion," Waters said. "Under Rendell’s administration, the state has improved but I feel we can do even better."
Registration for each forum can be done in advance online at www.dgs.state.pa.us. For more information, please call 717-772-6955 or contact Akeela Roland at aroland@pahouse.net.
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