Monday, May 09, 2005

Common sense law from the 9th Circut? Who'da thunk it?



Monday, May 9, 2005 · Last updated 5:27 p.m. PT

9th Circuit panel overturns part of ruling against contractor

By DONNA GORDON BLANKINSHIP
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

SEATTLE -- Washington state cannot favor minority-owned businesses in awarding road-building contracts because it hasn't proven that minority contractors have experienced discrimination, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday.

Western States Paving Co. of Vancouver, Wash., sued the state Department of Transportation, Clark County and the City of Vancouver after losing several road-paving contracts to minority-owned firms that had submitted higher bids.

The company argued that federal law allowing states to give preference to minority firms is unconstitutional, and that the state of Washington did not properly follow federal guidelines.

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