Mineola, NY - Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams (D-1st District) and fellow Democrats recently approved a bill requiring contractors wishing to do business with the county to use their "best efforts" to use minority and women-owned businesses for at least 15 percent of the contracted amount. The law also calls for a "disparity study" to be conducted by January 2003 to determine the percentage of Minority-owned business that are currently involved in the bidding process for County contracts.

"I believe that Nassau County must take the lead to encourage that minority and women-owned businesses participate in contracts," said Abrahams. "It is my belief that every member of a community feel included in the governmental contract process."

According to Legislator Abrahams, it will be the responsibility of the Office Of Minority Affairs to encourage and assist any minority contracting agencies in their efforts to be involved with the County's contract bidding process. The office may achieve this through informative seminars, literature and community outreach aimed at the Minority-owned businesses.

The local law was signed by Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi on Thursday, October 10.