On March 5, 1989, the United States marked the twentieth anniversary of the federal government’s first business “set-aside” policy, expressed in former President Richard Nixon’s executive Order No. 11458. Set-asides– which now also exist at the state, county, and municipal level in most states — are programs that reserve a precentage of government spending on public works projects for disadvantaged businesses. The programs have two interrelated objectives: to redress the harms of past unlawful discrimination, and to foster economic prosperity in communities of people whose welfare has been hurt by discrimination.
Please note The Heartland Institute’s phone number and address have changed since this document was created. The correct contact information is The Heartland Institute, 19 South LaSalle Street #903, Chicago, IL 60603; phone 312/377-4000; fax 312/377-5000; email [email protected].
