Adverse racial consequences of "Responsible Bidder"

In a remarkable twist, COAST and the African American Chamber of Commerce are in agreement in opposing the City's "Responsible Bidder" ordinance that has draconian apprenticeship and other requirements on contractors.  The net effect of the "Responsible Bidder" ordinance is to discourage smaller and newer African American contractors from being able to bid projects, and discourage contractors from hiring African American laborers.


As a result, Council members Smitherman and Winburn have spearheaded opposition to the Ordinance on Council, and African American leaders throughout the community have spoken out against it.