Audit reveals state falls short on minority contracting goals

Madison--State Representative Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee) was furious after reviewing the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau’s (LAB) audit of the state’s economic development programs.

The Department of Administration, which is responsible for overseeing state procurement activities, reported that minority-owned businesses secured $46.1 million in direct state agency purchases in FY 2004-05, a mere 2.8 percent of the $1.65 billion total.

"It is absolutely ridiculous that for the last 20 plus years we can’t seem to voluntarily meet a 5% goal," Representative Fields said referring to the 1983 state law stating that 5% of state agencies purchases should be with minority businesses.

According to the LAB, Wisconsin’s economic development programs are intended to create jobs, attract and retain businesses or otherwise encourage economic growth.

During the 2005-06 legislative session, Representative Fields introduced a number of bills aimed to increase employment within the minority community.

"I will continue to make economic development my top priority. Given this is an election year, Democratic and Republican leaders need to put economic development at the top of their agendas too, specifically ensuring that minority contracting goals are definitely met," Representative Fields asserted.

"This is not rocket science. The best social program that the state can offer is a job. We need to make sure that these funds are getting to economically depressed areas and benefiting those truly in need," Representative Fields concluded.

Representative Fields encourages all business leaders, especially people of color to visit the LAB’s website at www.legis.state.wi.us/lab to read the audit and to attend the Joint Legislative Audit Committee public hearing being held August 29 in Madison.