Recently, The Texas Department of Transportation OCR began to circulate an email that discusses how, among other things, the U.S Department of Transportation Office of Governor Counsel recently approved new guidance documents and information for compliance with regards to regulation related to the DBE Program.
… Let me make it as clear as I possibly can. For too long the State of Texas as well as many cities and counties in the State of Texas have for whatever reason not followed the rule when it comes down to splitting the pie in a fair and equitable manner with funds that come in some form or fashion from the taxpaying public. I am sure it is happening in more states than just Texas. In fact, if you do just a little research on your own you will find many cases mostly in the eastern part of the country you will see where many contractors have run a foul with the law. In some cases, civil actions were brought on and in others criminal penalty were levied. That’s right, people have been imprisoned. …
Well, if you have not already heard, Commissioner Rodney Ellis is funding a disparity study in Harris County which will most definitely reveal that minorities, in particular African Americans, are not receiving a fair shake. A big part of the short fall is because those in charge could care less if African American minorities are involved in the process. Which leads me back to the title of this newsletter, “Some Must Die So That We All Can Live”. For forever and a day, minorities (African Americans) by and large have been okay with accepting less than their worth for work. You know who you are. The time has come that for all of us to live some of us must die.
John F. Kennedy said "Simple justice requires that public funds to which all taxpayers of all races to contribute not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes or result in racial discrimination."
Recently, The Texas Department of Transportation OCR began to circulate an email that discusses how, among other things, the U.S Department of Transportation Office of Governor Counsel recently approved new guidance documents and information for compliance with regards to regulation related to the DBE Program.
… Let me make it as clear as I possibly can. For too long the State of Texas as well as many cities and counties in the State of Texas have for whatever reason not followed the rule when it comes down to splitting the pie in a fair and equitable manner with funds that come in some form or fashion from the taxpaying public. I am sure it is happening in more states than just Texas. In fact, if you do just a little research on your own you will find many cases mostly in the eastern part of the country you will see where many contractors have run a foul with the law. In some cases, civil actions were brought on and in others criminal penalty were levied. That’s right, people have been imprisoned. …
… The real truth is that the vast majority of contractors when dealing with taxpayer dollars are guilty of not applying the proper formula for goal credits when including certified and qualified MWDBE’s. The proper formula seems to never be the goal when most contractors are considering developing their minority participation plans. Whether the development of the plans is falsified intentionally or the contractor does not understand the formula, the bottom line in almost all cases, the MWDBE gets the short end of the stick. …
Jerry Sowells knows a thing or two about building a road or a bridge.
As founder of Sowells Construction Management and Inspection, he's got experience working with Houston officials and as a subcontractor for the Harris County Toll Road Authority. He works closely with other local black-owned businesses. Read more...
A lack of minority and women-owned companies on one of Houston’s largest road projects has drawn a demand from State Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, that highway officials do much better. Read more...
