Women, Minorities Should Get More City Contracts: Quinn

In an effort to level the playing field for women and minority business owners, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn plans to introduce a bill that would send more city contracts to companies run by women or by Asian-Americans, African-Americans or Hispanics, says the New York Times.

Under the current law — which was passed in 2005 — the city works to award a percentage of contracts under $1 million to companies owned by women and minorities. The problem is that there are no such goals for larger contracts, and some civil rights leaders believe this penalizes successful businesses dealing in costlier contracts.

There are few consequences for agencies that do not meet their goals and little accountability, says the paper. In the fiscal year 2011, the city met only 48 percent of its goals for contracts to minority- and women-owned businesses.

Quinn’s new proposal would set goals for all contracts — not just smaller ones —and would require a quarterly report on their progress.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s spokesperson said the mayor is currently working with Quinn’s office to advance the legislation.

Would you want to see this legislation at work in Forest Hills? Let us know what you think in the comments.