California Supreme Court debates ban on affirmative action in contracts

The Los Angeles Times
The high court, reviewing a San Francisco ordinance that gives firms owned by women and minorities an advantage in contracting, considers easing the scope of Proposition 209, which was passed in 1996.
By Maura Dolan, Los Angeles Times
May 6, 2010
Reporting from San Francisco

The California Supreme Court debated the constitutionality of Proposition 209 on Tuesday, questioning whether the reach of the 1996 ban on affirmative action in government should be limited.During a hearing Tuesday, some members of the state high court appeared inclined to permit some type of affirmative action when needed to address deliberate and ongoing discrimination.The court is reviewing a San Francisco ordinance that gives firms owned by women and minorities an advantage in city contracting. Although the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeal upheld the constitutionality of Proposition 209 in 1997, the state high court is not bound by the circuit ruling.

Full Story: http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/topofthetimes/topstories/la-me-prop209-20100506,0,6401791.story