Global Feminist Daily News Wire
February-20-97

Supreme Court Sets Aside Set-Aside Law

The Supreme Court ruled in Philadelphia v Contractors Assn. Of Eastern Pennsylvania that a set-aside program run by the city of Philadelphia is not constitutional. The program set aside one-fourth of public contracts for women and people of color. A judge's ruling barring the city from enforcing the program until the outcome of the legal case has already left many firms struggling to compete. Carole Robinson, an African American businesswoman in Philadelphia, commented, "It’s had a tremendous impact. Some of these businesses have already gone under. And, unfortunately, it’s going on all across the county." The culmination of the eight-year legal battle, along with rulings rejecting similar program in Columbus, Ohio and Miami, indicates that the Court is dismantling set-aside programs for women and people of color.

Media Resources: The Los Angeles Times - February 19, 1997

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