NY Senate Looks To Spur Women- And Minority-Owned Businesses

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The New York state Senate is taking a look at state efforts to boost women- and minority-owned businesses.

The Senate's committees on labor, agriculture and economic development will hold a hearing Tuesday in Manhattan to review current programs designed to encourage more diversity in business and consider improvements.

Similar hearings have been held around the state; lawmakers say they may suggest changes to existing programs when the full Legislature reconvenes in January.

The state now operates a number of programs intended to help women- and minority-owned businesses. They include state initiatives that set goals for the percentage of state contractors owned by women and minorities.