Florida Attorney General’s Latest Opinion Threatens Minority Business Protections and Undermines State Progress

In a move steeped in political posturing, Florida’s Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a controversial opinion challenging the constitutionality of nearly 80 state laws designed to support minority contracting and promote diverse appointments. Released on Martin Luther King Jr. Day—a date symbolizing the long struggle against racial discrimination—this opinion dismisses the undeniable reality that systemic inequalities persist and jeopardizes vital protections for Florida's Black residents. Is This a Step Backward in Florida’s Fight for Equality? AG Uthmeier claims these laws violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause by mandating "discrimination based on race," asserting that he will no...