They call themselves “next door neighbor legislators” with common issues. State representatives Jim Struzzi and Tim Rigby of Johnstown have teamed up to introduce House Bill 1712, legislation that they say would “help disadvantaged communities by bringing geographic equity and diversity to the procurement process in Pennsylvania.”
The bill requires businesses located in HUB Zones receive a minimum of forty percent participation in state procurement contracts. “HUB” stands for “Historically Underutilized Business”. Pennsylvania’s HUB Zone program was established in 1997 and includes thirteen whole counties and parts of many others. Indiana County is one of the thirteen entire counties in the program, and the city of Johnstown is as well.
The bill authored by Struzzi and Rigby is intended to “create a more competitive balance for local governments when it comes to acquiring goods and services…from commercial businesses,” according to Rigby.
Struzzi says the legislation needs enacted so state programs mirror the federal program already in place.
Upon its introduction, the bill was referred yesterday to the House State Government Committee.
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