PLF and our friends at the Center for Equal Opportunity (CEO) frequently send letters to local governments that are considering whether to adopt discriminatory race- and sex- based contracting preferences. These letters urge local governments to refrain from classifying individuals on the basis of race. Local construction contracts should go to the lowest bidder that can do the job; they should not be doled out on the basis of race. This past weekend, after reading this article, CEO and PLF sent letters to the members of the Fayetteville City Council. Yesterday, the Council refused to take the steps that could lead to adopting an unconstitutional race-based contracting program.
This is a great example of how we can help save individuals from unconstitutional action without resorting to the courts. Many thanks to Roger Clegg of the Center for Equal Opportunity for his help in getting this letter out to the city council members so quickly. And a special congratulations to the people of Fayetteville, North Carolina who, thanks to their city council, will be able to bid on contracts regardless of their skin color.