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Rep. Williams: Why the Portuguese should “step aside” as a Minority Business (MBE) category
Several bills addressing the definition of Minority Business Enterprise have been introduced by House Labor Committee Chair, Rep. Anastasia Williams. In addition to wanting to “correct” the definition by removing “Portuguese” some of her bills also seek to remove “women” as a classification. Going further, the percent of business contracts that need to be given to MBE companies would increase from 10% to 25%. Here are the categories as they stand in 2021:
House Bill 5104 – which would remove the designation of Portuguese from Minority Owned Business category in RI, was introduced by Rep. Anastasia Williams, in the House Labor Committee, also chaired by Williams, was to be discussed in committee last night. This morning it was posted that this bill will be “held for further study”. Most likely this bill is dead for this legislative year.
Rep. Williams was a call-in guest on Gene Valicenti’s morning radio show on WPRO. As she says, “It’s a wrong that needs to be corrected” – Portuguese have done well for themselves and now they need to “move aside” for real people of color and minorities.
Here his interview, here – he is set to discuss this on his show on Friday morning – 630AM, 6am to 9am.
There are at this time 2 other bills of interest in the Minority Business Enterprise designation:
House 5404 – RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS –MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
Introduced By: Representatives Williams, Diaz, Vella-Wilkinson, Morales, and Batista
Minority business enterprises shall be included in all procurements and construction for projects under this chapter and shall be awarded a minimum of ten percent (10%) twenty-five percent (25%) of the dollar value of the entire procurement or project.
On 02/05/2021 this bill was Introduced, referred to House Labor
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House 5717 – RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS –MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
Introduced By:Representatives Williams, Hull, Barros, Alzate, Batista, Henries, Biah, Abney, Morales, and Diaz
“The purpose of this chapter is to carry out the state’s policy of supporting the fullest possible for participation of firms owned and controlled by minorities and women (MBE’s) in state funded and state directed public construction programs and projects and in state purchases of goods and 6services. This includes assisting MBE’s throughout the life of contracts in which they participate…”
“Minority business enterprises shall be included in all procurements and construction 30projects under this chapter and shall be awarded a minimum of ten percent (10%) twenty-five percent (25%) of the dollar value of the entire procurement or project.”
On 02/24/2021 this bill was Introduced, referred to House Labor
To reach members of the House Committee on Labor:
Reading her last statement shows just how truly racist she is. “Real color” – really Ms. Williamson? How about your statement about “minorities”? Aren’t our Portuguese citizens a minority? Have they “done well for themselves”? They are still a minority and you know “how well” how?
It seems that Ms. Williamson has done “well” for herself and owns some tenements. I wonder if she charges a fair rate of rent and maintains the properties as required.
Having lived next to a Portuguese family for many years, they are hard workers. They grew all their own fruits, vegetables. Up the street where Budlong Manor stands, the Portuguese and Italians worked that field. Each had a plot and they were out there every day, growing their food, their grapevines and tending to their little piece of land no matter how hot it was. They didn’t bother anybody. Come fall, they cleaned up and prepared for the following season. They took care of themselves, didn’t ask for anything, and were generous in giving the fruits of their labor to neighbors.
Every time she opens her mouth, what comes out is always divisive. There are better people to lead – she’s not one of them.
I agree with her. Although I do not agree, with all of the criteria listed that would qualify someone.
I believe it should be more on economic need not someone’s color, origin or sex.