By Steve Bell
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-645329.mp3
Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City, Missouri city council gave final approval to revisions in its program for minority-and-women-owned businesses.
Councilman Ed Ford, who introduced the measure in legislative session, joked about the stormy three weeks debate over the changes in his council committee. During the committee discussions he had called it a "classic conflict between the haves and have-nots" in terms of city contracts. And several last-minute issues involving details had surfaced by the Thursday legislative session.
After a half-hour's wrangling the council ironed out a compromise on final revisions and approved the Minority-and-Women's Business Enterprise plan. It lowered the proposed dollar figure for MBE/WBE assistance to contracts of $250,000 or more, opening up more opportunities. But in concession to those already successful in getting city contracts, it dropped a $750,000 net worth ceiling for owners of MBE/WBE-cetified businesses.