However, city officials say that contractors who do business with the city, like those repairing earthquake-damaged city hall, operate under an affirmative action rule already approved by federal courts and, in fact, mandated by federal law. Louise Renne is San Francisco s city attorney. The courts have upheld our ordinance on the grounds that there was discrimination shown and that the ordinance was very narrowly tailored to deal with those findings of discrimination. Renne is not completely certain of future court rulings, but she is proceeding for now as though San Francisco s programs are legal. While officials in this politically liberal city deplored the court s refusal to strike down Prop 209, even though they said it probably won t have much effect.
Some citizens welcome the decision.
These ironworkers say they think it will ensure fairer hiring practices. You should be chosen to work strictly upon your ability. It shouldn t be race or sex, gender, or anything. It should be strictly ability. That s over and done with now, though.