Gov. Murphy holds roundtable discussion on expanding access to public contracting opportunities for historically marginalized businesses

NEW JERSEY – Governor Phil Murphy Monday held a roundtable discussion where he met with legislators and stakeholders to gather input on potential legislative remedies and ongoing administrative initiatives to eliminate disparities in the public procurement process and create a more equitable business environment for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in New Jersey.

The discussion follows the release of a comprehensive statewide disparity study earlier this year – the first since 2005 – which reviewed statewide procurement data relating to goods and services, professional services, and construction between 2015 and 2020, and found statistically significant disparities in the awarding of public contracts to MWBEs.

The study was necessary so that the State had a legal basis for addressing these gaps. This discussion also follows a series of meetings over the past months led by the Governor’s Office and the Department of Treasury with community partners, faith leaders, labor, and diverse business chambers across the state.

“One of New Jersey’s best attributes has always been its vast diversity. Our state is home to people of so many different backgrounds, who all deserve the opportunity to succeed in their chosen field; however, lingering inequities continue to create barriers to entry for our minority and women-owned businesses that want to contract with our state government. This is unacceptable and, with the help of our lawmakers and business community, we will take action,” said Governor Murphy said. “Today’s meeting underscores our steadfast commitment to building a stronger, fairer, more equitable, and more inclusive New Jersey. I look forward to continuing this conversation and working with our partners in the Legislature and our state’s business community to create a system where all businesses can thrive.”

The Governor was joined by Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus; Senator Nellie Pou, Chair of the Legislative Latino Caucus; Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, Chair of the Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus; and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity and Member of the Legislative Black Caucus.

The African American Chamber of Commerce, the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Punjabi Chamber of Commerce, the Veteran’s Chamber of Commerce, and the NJ Diverse Business Advisory Council —  a coalition representing small and diverse businesses in New Jersey, such as LGBTQ+ and veteran-owned businesses — were also in attendance, in addition to Senior Pastor of Saint James AME Church Reverend Ronald Slaughter, Jo-Ann Povia, Chief of Staff to the Department of the Treasury and Associate Deputy State Treasurer, Michelle Bodden, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the Economic Development Authority, and Jayné Johnson, Director of the Governor’s Office of Equity.

“I want to commend Governor Murphy for his courageous leadership in commissioning the public contracting disparity study that equips us to make long-needed reforms. I also want to thank the Treasurer and the Treasury team for their work in overseeing the disparity study and Chief Diversity Officer Candice Alfonso for getting it over the finish line, as well as our partners in the Legislature and the business community who joined us at the table today to discuss legislative reforms. The study— as an assessment tool— equips us to tailor remedies specific to the study’s findings and the nuances of New Jersey law,” said Jayné Johnson, Director, Governor’s Office of Equity. “Our office has convened the Cabinet and the authorities across state government in support of efforts to accelerate capacity-building through initiatives that engage historically marginalized businesses. We are also leading statewide efforts to advance people-centered workplace initiatives—recognizing that when our colleagues have a better awareness of their neighbors, the outcomes of our policies and systems are more equitable and responsive.”

“From day one, Treasury has been committed to advancing the Murphy Administration’s goal of building a more equitable landscape for New Jersey businesses,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “The recent disparity study overseen by Treasury’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, led by Chief Diversity Officer Candice Alfonso, shone a light on inequities faced by diverse businesses in the public contracting system. This years-long effort will serve as a roadmap as the State plans responsive action to promote a more equitable procurement process.”

“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has made tremendous strides to increase transparency and create a more equitable economy, especially across state contracting opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs. I am proud of the investments we are making to bolster diverse-owned businesses and ensure they have the capacity to secure larger-scale contracts,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “But undoing decades of unfair treatment and unequal outcomes is a work in progress, and conversations like the one today are critical to guaranteeing our work to improve the procurement process is bold, meaningful, and transparent.”

Throughout the Murphy Administration, the State has instituted a number of initiatives designed to promote equitable contracting practices and uplift small businesses across all sectors. This has ranged from bonding readiness assistance to matchmaking and outreach events, complementing a whole-of-government approach to create new opportunities for New Jersey’s MWBEs.

Today’s discussion served as a valuable working session for representatives from the Executive and Legislative Branches to hear directly from industry stakeholders, fostering a collaborative foundation as the State works to establish concrete legislative solutions to make the public bidding process more accessible and resolve disparities in procurement processes.