City IG says minority, women firms shorted 15 percent on contracts

Chicago Tribune
May 20, 2010
Posted by John Byrne at 2:08 p.m.

Minority- and women-owned businesses were paid $19 million less than they were supposed to get under city contracts two years ago because of widespread fraud, abuse and mismanagement of the city's affirmative action program, according to a report released today by the city inspector general’s office.That represented a 15 percent shortfall during 2008, the report stated. If that kind of shortfall were extended over 15 years, starting in 1995, minority- and women-owned businesses would have lost $400 million, it concluded.

Full Story: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/05/city-ig-says-minority-women-firms-shorted-15-percent-on-contracts.html

Group: Omaha rules violate affirmative-action ban

Nebraska TV

Associated Press - March 12, 2009 2:35 PM ET

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A legal group is calling for Omaha to repeal rules that give preference to minority and female contractors, saying the rules violate Nebraska's affirmative-action ban.
The California-based Pacific Legal Foundation sent a letter to city officials on Wednesday.
It says Omaha's contracting ordinance lets female- and minority-owned businesses submit bids 30 days before other businesses. It also requires 10% of the city's contracting dollars to be awarded to female- and minority-owned businesses.

Full Story: http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=9995559&nav=menu605_2