The executive director of Equality Pennsylvania has joined a newly formed advisory council to encourage business diversity in state contracting.
Ted Martin will serve on the council to ensure that LGBT people are included in economic opportunities.
“The appointment means we do have a seat at the table, which is always good,” Martin said. “It’s an opportunity for LGBT businesses to work with the commonwealth and be recognized by the commonwealth.”
Gov. Tom Wolf announced Sept. 23 the creation of the Advisory Council on Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities. The council will advise the governor’s office and other state agencies under the governor’s jurisdiction on ways to improve state contracting, grant opportunities, job-creation initiatives and programs for business assistance, professional development and financing and bonding.
“The business community needs a constructive partner in government,” Wolf said in a statement. “This is an important step in the broader effort to make sure all Pennsylvanians feel they have a life filled with fair chances. This idea of fairness is important because our economy doesn’t work optimally if some people are shut out of the market’s opportunities.”
The council will be co-chaired by representatives from the state departments of General Services, Community and Economic Development, Transportation and Labor and Industry, according to the executive order that created the council. Other members include minority business owners and key stakeholders.
“I see Equality Pennsylvania serving as a conduit,” Martin said, noting he would be reaching out to other LGBT business-advocacy groups in the coming weeks to get their ideas.
“We’re serving as a voice for so many other organizations,” he said.
The council’s first meeting took place Sept. 24. Martin said there was a lot of information to take in and he would need to study all the acronyms that are involved in doing business with the state.
“I don’t think it’s an impossible task, but it’s a big task,” Martin said, adding it was great to share the responsibility with other groups that tend to be underrepresented, like minorities, women and veterans.
“There’s strength in numbers,” he said. “Hopefully we can help each other. Some people are further along in their efforts for recognition and equality.”
Wolf said he thinks stronger nondiscrimination laws, a higher minimum wage, a more-accessible voting process and the implementation of full Medicaid expansion are the kinds of fairer-government practices that will foster a stronger economy.