Governor Hochul Signs Legislative Package to Strengthen New York's Nation-leading Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprise Program

 

Legislation (A.9259-A/S.3390-A) Helps Prevent Fraud and Abuse within the Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program and Creates a Framework for a Fund To Investigate and Audit Fraud

Legislation (A.6420/S.571) Allows Businesses To Use MWBE Development and Lending Program Funds to Refinance Existing Debts

Legislation (A.10459/S.9351) Allows New York City To Award Contracts Up to $1 Million to MWBEs Without a Formal Competitive Process

Also Announces New York's MWBE Utilization Rate is Highest in the Nation with Nearly $3 Billion in State Contracts Awarded to MWBEs

 Governor Kathy Hochul today signed a legislative package that will strengthen New York's nation-leading program to support Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. The Governor signed the new legislation in conjunction with the State's 12th Annual MWBE forum, which runs through October 7. The Governor also announced that New York State has surpassed its goal for MWBE utilization on New York State contracts with a utilization rate of 30.64 percent during the 2022 Fiscal Year, the highest MWBE utilization rate in the country for the second year in a row. Nearly $3 billion in State contracts were awarded to MWBE firms during the 2022 Fiscal Year, and nearly $24 billion in State contracts have been awarded to MWBEs since 2011. The bill signing, in addition to the steady increase in New York's MWBE utilization rate, underscore Governor Hochul's commitment to supporting MWBEs and being a champion for greater economic opportunity statewide.

"New York draws strength from its diversity, and it is a priority for my administration to ensure that economic opportunities are inclusive and equitable across the state," Governor Hochul said. "For two years in a row, our nation leading MWBE utilization rate highlights our commitment to providing the necessary tools and resources so that everyone is able to forge pathways to economic success. The continuation of New York's strong MWBE utilization rate demonstrates the State's commitment to championing greater equality of economic opportunities for MWBEs."

"Thanks to Governor Hochul's leadership, New York has exceeded our utilization goal for the second year in a row and we will continue to help break down barriers and expand opportunities for MWBEs across the State," said Lieutenant Governor Delgado. "New York is committed to providing critical resources for Minority- and Women-Owned businesses to help them succeed because our economy is strongest when it is diverse, accessible, and inclusive."

Legislation (A.9259-A/S.3390-A) will prevent fraud and abuse within the MWBE Program and creates a framework for a fund that will investigate and audit misconduct within the Program. A 2014 report by the New York State Supreme Court Grand Jury revealed that over $10 million intended for honest MWBE had instead gone to fraudulent non-MWBEs, cheating legitimate MWBEs out of contracts. This legislation will ensure the integrity of the program by creating a state MWBE registry, increasing fines for fraud, and establishing a MWBE fund to investigate misconduct.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

 

Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing, and Treatment

23 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"As the weather gets colder and brings us back indoors, I urge New Yorkers to remain vigilant, be sure to use the tools that are available to keep themselves, their loved ones, and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Take advantage of the vaccine by staying up to date on doses. Test before gatherings or travel and if you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

Governor Hochul continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for anyone age 12 or older and from Moderna for those 18 or older. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.

In addition, Governor Hochul is encouraging New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine as flu season approaches. The flu vaccine is recommended for almost everyone 6 months and older. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 may simultaneously spread this fall and winter, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.

For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Cases Per 100k - 22.78
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 21.15
• Test Results Reported - 58,923
• Total Positive - 4,451
• Percent Positive - 7.30%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.97%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,392 (+26)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 421
• Patients in ICU - 230 (-18)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 83 (-4)
• Total Discharges - 347,409 (+360)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 23
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 58,215

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 74,363

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:

Borough	Sunday,   October   2, 2022	Monday,   October   3, 2022	Tuesday,   October   4, 2022
Bronx	5.50%	5.62%	5.69%
Kings	3.92%	4.31%	4.55%
New York	5.49%	5.48%	5.45%
Queens	6.20%	6.20%	6.12%
Richmond	8.09%	8.24%	8.26%