A bill up for second reading before Nashville's Metro Council this week would keep the city from being a passive participant in discrimination.
Passive discrimination occurs when contractors fail to meet non-discrimination policies set forth by a city or county. While the city or county may not discriminate directly in its actions, it reinforces such practices by hiring companies that fail to meet those standards.
The bill, sponsored by Megan Barry, Sam Coleman and others, would apply the same standards to contractors as the city uses for its own operations. It would be run by a new Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance and in addition to running the program, the office would report regularly to the council on whether its efforts have been effective.
Government contracts are an important tool to make sure that when tax money is being spent, it benefits all members of the community. Kudos to the council for taking the initiative and we look forward to its successful progress through second and third readings and its approval by the mayor.
-- Jim Grinstead
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