This a condensed sample work of one of the projects I created during my current status as a Women & Public Policy Fellow.

1. Jeszenia V. Jimenez
HER MTA: Maximizing M/WBE Participation in MTA Projects
Overview
As a fellow from the Center of Women in Government & Civil Society, it is essential to evaluate policies that correlate directly to
women’s issues or provides the opportunity to enhance women’s advancement. Women are the majority in New York State, 51.5% of
the population, as proven by the U.S. Census Bureau (2012).i
In the State of New York, Governor Cuomo and his Administration
team have ensured that the female constituents of New York would not be ignored through his latest proposal of the 10-point
Women’s Equality Actii
. In New York’s efforts to support the interests of its female constituents, it should also foster and promote
women’s leadership in renovating one of New York’s most significant, historical accomplishments—Metropolitan Transit Authority
(MTA) system.
Problem
MTA is a large system that requires a lot of time, human capital, and capital funds to guarantee successful operations and service to
New York City and the greater metropolitan area. The projects are most often long-term that have also incurred ongoing debt
obligation of $32 Billion through combination of the federal funds, Federal RRIF loan, City Capital Funds, MTA Bonds, and State
Assistance.iii
Since the aftermath of Sandy Hurricane in New York, MTA has both requested and received funds from the Federal
government to recover from its damages— $193.1 million.iv
As of 2007, there exists 30.4%v
of Women Business Enterprises (WBEs);
some of those WBEs offer non-traditional services that are advantageous to promoting women’s achievements, enhancing the
economy, and meeting MTA’s objective for quality craftsmanship and operations of its transit system. It is imperative to approve
additional funding requests in efforts to maximize M/WBE Participation in MTA projects.
Recommendations
I recommend that capital funds for MTA Capital Projects under S4403vi
to supplement the recruitment of WBEs and MWBEs from
various trades that include: construction, engineering, technology, and other non-traditional sectors.
Background
The State of New York has a history of implementing measures to enhance its constituents as well as its services. Creation of the
Governor’s Office of Minority and Women’s Business Development, under Article 15 A of the Executive Law, demonstrated support
of women-owned businesses and clarified these businesses as “at least 51% owned, operated and controlled” by women.vii
MTA has
also enhanced its services through Small Business Federal Mentor Program which is the first in the nation and approved by MTA.viii
In addition to certification and recruitment of WBEs, MTA Headquarter exemplifies a solid support for women in the workforce as it
“hired the highest percentage of women (49%).ix
Analysis
Studies prove the reasons why it is necessary to utilize WBEs and MWBEs, for example:
1) Opportunities may have decreased. Compare 2010 to 2012, M/WBE in construction has decreased from 12.39%x
to 3.4%.xi
2) Promote patriotism through support of veteran-owned businesses. The Northeast has 18.8 % of women veteran-owned
firms.xii
3) Women are more apt to seek higher paid opportunities. Nontraditional jobs often higher-pay in comparison to traditionally
female occupation.xiii
4) MTA is leading the way in recruitment of more M/WBEs. 39 NYS certified M/WBE firms have received 45 MTA contracts
so far.xiv
Conclusion
In order to foster the growth and support of WBEs in the State of New York, MTA’s request for increase in Capital funds for its
projects is advantageous to all of us. This funding should be used to maximize M/WBE participation in MTA projects as well as
empower women to engage more as entrepreneurs, mobilize the workforce, and influence more women into non-traditional study
areas. The State of New York can make a mark in history as being the model state for women’s leadership and empowerment.

2. i
U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce, “New York,” State and County Quick Facts,
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36000.html
ii
Governor Cuomo, “Women’s Equality”, New York Rising, 2013, https://www.governor.ny.gov/2013/womens-equality.
iii
Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC), The Road back: A Historic Review of the MTA Capital Program, 2013,
http://www.pcac.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/The-Road-Back-Final.pdf
iv
Kennett Lovett, Federal government releases $193 million to MTA to repair transit damaged by Hurricane Sandy, March 6, 2013,
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/feds-release-193-million-mta-post-sandy-transit-repair-article-1.1281491#ixzz2QMYbpcU7
v
NWBC, Advisors to the President, Congress, and the SBA, Women-owned Firms in the U.S., January 2012, 28, http://www.nwbc.gov
vi
NY Senate, Public Authorities Law: S4403 (2013), http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S4403-2013
vii
Empire State Development, Division of Minority-and Women-owned Business Development, Qualifications for NYSMWBE Certification, 2010,
http://esd.ny.gov/MWBE/Qualifications.html
viii
F. Ferrer, S, Metzger, J. Banks III, R. Bickford, and D. Paterson, Committee members, “Small Business Mentoring Program,” MTA Diversity
Committee Meeting, March 2013, 6, www.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/130313_0830_Diversity.pdf
ix
F. Ferrer, S, Metzger, J. Banks III, R. Bickford, and D. Paterson, Committee members, “EEO Activity report,” MTA Diversity Committee Meeting,
March 2013, 5, www.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/130313_0830_Diversity.pdf
x
NERA Consulting, NYS Disparity Study Final, 2010, www.esd.ny.gov/.../NERA_NYS_Disparity_Study_Final_NEW.pdf
xi
NWBC, Advisors to the President, Congress, and the SBA, Women-owned Firms in the U.S., January 2012,13, http://www.nwbc.gov
xii
NWBC, Advisors to the President, Congress, and the SBA, Women-owned Firms in the U.S., January 2012, 10, http://www.nwbc.gov
xiii
NWLC, Women in Construction: 6.9 Percent Is Not Enough, May 22, 2012, http://www.nwlc.org/resource/women-construction-69-percent-not-
enough
xiv
Ferrer, S, Metzger, J. Banks III, R. Bickford, and D. Paterson, Committee members, “Small Business Mentoring Program,” MTA Diversity
Committee Meeting, March 2013, 6, www.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/130313_0830_Diversity.pdf

3. Bibliography
Bickford, R., Paterson, D., Ferrer, F., Metzger, S., & Banks III, J. “Small Business Mentoring Program,” MTA
Diversity Committee Meeting, March 2013, www.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/130313_0830_Diversity.pdf
Consulting, NERA. NYS Disparity Study Final, 2010,
www.esd.ny.gov/.../NERA_NYS_Disparity_Study_Final_NEW.pdf
Cuomo, Governor. (2013).“Women’s Equality.” New York Rising.
https://www.governor.ny.gov/2013/womens-equality.
Division of Minority-and Women-owned Business Development. Qualifications for NYSMWBE Certification,
2010. Empire State Development. http://esd.ny.gov/MWBE/Qualifications.html
Lovett, Kenneth. Federal government releases $193 million to MTA to repair transit damaged by Hurricane
Sandy,” New York Daily News, March 6, 2013.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/feds-release-193-million-mta-post-sandy-transit-repair-article-
1.1281491#ixzz2QMYbpcU7
NWBC. Women-owned Firms in the U.S., Advisors to the President, Congress, and the SBA, January 2012,
http://www.nwbc.gov
NWLC, Women in Construction: 6.9 Percent Is Not Enough, May 22, 2012,
http://www.nwlc.org/resource/women-construction-69-percent-not-enough
NY Senate. Public Authorities Law: S4403, 2013. http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S4403-2013
Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC). The Road back: A Historic Review of the MTA
Capital Program, 2013. http://www.pcac.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/The-Road-Back-Final.pdf
U.S. Census Bureau. “New York,” State and County Quick Facts, U.S. Department of Commerce,
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36000.html