[Federalist] Democrats in Virginia passed a bill Friday that directs state agencies to discriminate against businesses owned by white men when considering which companies receive discretionary government contracts under $200,000.
Sounds a bit ...unconstitutionally?
The bill, introduced by Democrat Del. Jeion Ward, establishes the "Small SWaM Business Procurement Enhancement Program." (SWaM stands for "small women-owned, small minority-owned, or small service disabled veteran-owned"). The measure sets a race or sex quota for such businesses to receive 42 percent of the state’s discretionary spending on "procurement orders, prime contracts, and subcontracts."
"The bill provides that executive branch agencies and covered institutions are required to increase their small SWaM business utilization rates by three percent per year until reaching the 42-percent target or, if unable to do so, to implement achievable goals to increase their utilization rates," a summary states. The legislative text dictates that "purchases between $10,000 and $200,000 shall be set aside for award to small SWaM businesses." |