Please attribute the following statement to Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin in reference to today's federal court ruling against the City of Houston's Minority, Women and Small Business Enterprise (MWBE) program--
"Harris County has been steadfast in its commitment to ensuring County contracting opportunities are open to a broad and diverse range of qualified businesses, including those owned by minorities, women, veterans, and other historically underrepresented groups.
"Since its inception, Harris County's MWBE program has helped open the door to County contracting opportunities for businesses that have historically faced barriers to competing on a level playing field. In just over four years, minority- and women-owned business participation in Harris County contracts increased from 9% to nearly 30%, with nearly $400 million of the $1.5 billion in program-eligible contracts being awarded to MWBE businesses. These outcomes reflect real opportunity for real businesses and the people they employ across our community, and we are proud of what the program has accomplished.
"The County takes seriously its obligation to operate programs in full compliance with the law. Our legal team is closely reviewing the current legal landscape, including this recent development, and evaluating all options.
"We believe there is a lawful and durable path forward that preserves meaningful opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses while satisfying constitutional requirements, and we intend to pursue that path vigorously. We remain hopeful that our MWBE program will continue, notwithstanding the pending lawsuit against the County. We will continue to keep our residents, contracting community, and stakeholders informed as the lawsuit continues."