For at least 30 years, I have been against affirmative action by the government that allows certain groups a piece of the pie. If it were not for the fact that too many of those groups are politically connected to people who make decisions, it might be okay. But that’s not how the system works, or at least that’s not what I noticed happening.
The City is considering revamping the program and excluding most groups currently in it.
The program sets percentage goals for groups that historically faced disparities in obtaining contracting opportunities from the city. The proposed changes were tied to a study examining city spending with different demographic groups. It found Hispanic- and Asian-owned businesses did not face disadvantages in certain categories, like construction for Hispanic-owned firms and professional services for both groups, and it recommended their removal from the minority portion of the MWSBE program for those categories. It also called for the removal of non-minority, women-owned businesses from the goods and services category. They would still be eligible to participate in the small business enterprise program under the proposed changes.
… The study and recommendations came in response to ongoing litigation between the city and two white business owners who filed a federal lawsuit against the city over the program in 2023.
“We need that data because the court is waiting on whether the city is going to take action or not,” Michel said. “In the absence of adopting this, our last full, comprehensive study data is 2006 — that will not be helpful to us in court. We need to adopt this.”
The plaintiffs’ attorney, Erin Wilcox with the Pacific Legal Foundation, argued that even with the proposed changes, the city’s policy remained unconstitutional. She called for a “race-blind” process in municipal contracting.
The proposed ordinance without amendments prompted more than three hours of debate during the city council’s public comment session on Tuesday.
Laura Murillo, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, urged council members to reject the changes based on what she called “a flawed study” and instead form a new program open to all groups.
“If you’re going to remove three minority groups and only allow one to remain, then maybe the best thing to do is say, ‘Let’s do away with it because of the lawsuit,'” Murillo said. “Let’s put us all into a program that can sustain the legal challenges that are confronting the city, no fault of the city, but due to a lawsuit. And let’s level that playing field, and let’s put things in place that will allow people to compete.”
I’m not sure what Ms. Murillo means by the above, but in my opinion, if there is going to be a program to help small businesses, it should be open to everyone, but it should be based on class. The company makes too much money; exclude it. It has been in the program for X number of years, so exclude it. I have met many white men who needed a bootstrap to help them succeed. Not all white men are born into wealthy families and live in areas with great education systems.
We should all have a level field when it comes to jobs and opportunities. Should the children of Obama have a better chance than the children of someone who is not rich?
