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As the NYS budget deadline approaches, we wanted to update you on our recent efforts regarding the proposed MWBE program changes and additions. Eastern Contractors Association has been in several meetings with legislators in both the Assembly and Senate explaining the impact the proposals will have on the industry. As part of these efforts, ECA, along with nearly 30 other organizations, have endorsed the following proposals for the improvement and continuation of New York State's MWBE Program: • Amend the present version of Executive Law Article 15A only to extend provisions presently sunsetting in December 2018 to December 31, 2019 to permit the procurement of a disparity study compliant with the standards of Croson and other Constitutional standards and provide an appropriation of $2 million for the conduct of said study; • Clarify that contract-specific goal setting analyses required by law and regulation must be available pre-bid and included in project specifications. • Provide appropriation of $2 million for the re-establishment of the Alliance of Majority & Minority Contractors Mentor Program to grow and develop MWBE capacity statewide. We will continue to walk the halls of the Capitol and take meetings up through the final budget votes. In the meantime, please contact your State Legislators NOW and ask them to reject the Governor's MWBE mandate and implement the above proposal. State Senate (518) 455-2800 and State Assembly (518) 455-4100 Also, if you haven't already done so, please assist us in our efforts by completing our MWBE Impact Survey. The survey is being sent out by numerous groups across the entire state and covers topics such as types of projects you may be bidding, current contracts and MWBE-specific questions. This additional data will help us provide a fuller picture of the contracting landscape. It is important that we collect as much data as possible, so answering this survey is vital to our efforts. Click Here to Take the Survey (complete only once per company, please) Your help is greatly appreciated. We will keep you informed if further action is needed and to any new developments. If you have any questions regarding these efforts, please contact Todd Helfrich at 518-869-0961 or toddh@ecainc.org.