Philly voters approve ballot questions that change city contract bidding and make the arts office permanent – Inquirer.com

Philly voters approve ballot questions that change city contract bidding and make the arts office permanent  Inquirer.com

The change to the city’s contracting process marks a shift advanced by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration as it moves away from race- and gender-conscious contracting practices. Philadelphia will soon provide advantages to businesses that are certified as “small and local” and bid for city contracts, as well as make permanent its arts and culture office after voters approved two ballot questions Tuesday. On Tuesday, 78% of voters affirmed the new preferences, according to unofficial returns. The city’s Home Rule Charter — which can only be changed if approved by City Council and at least two-thirds of voters — will be amended to authorize the city to give bidding advantages to small and local businesses, as well as reserve entire contracts that could go only to such enterprises.

» READ MORE: Mayor Cherelle Parker defends ending racial diversity goals for Philly contracts: ‘Fighting the fight the way I know best’ The amendment will not change existing language in the charter — which is essentially the city’s version of a constitution — allowing the city to set participation goals for “disadvantaged businesses,” or those that are owned by women, people of color, and people with disabilities. However, the Parker administration has said it is phasing out that decades-long practice due to new legal precedent at the federal level that bars some