SC governor issues executive order to halt race-based spending quotas for S.C. agencies

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– Governor Henry McMaster says race should not be a factor when state agencies are making their budgets.

Wednesday, Dec. 3, the governor issued an executive order directing state agencies to no longer execute spending, and procurement based on race-based quotas.

For example, right now, the SC Department of Transportation is required to award a minimum of 5% of certain contracts for highway and infrastructure funds to minority businesses every year.

One question that remains is,  whether McMaster expects the order to be challenged in court?

Democratic State Representative John King responded to the order saying, removing  those protections isn’t about equality.

It’s about shutting the door to opportunity, and gutting the pathways that minority-owned  businesses had.