Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio, has raised concerns regarding a newly enacted ordinance in Cincinnati. This ordinance restructures procurement under a new Department of Economic Inclusion and Procurement.
Moreno’s letter to Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval criticizes the potential expansion of the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) framework, which he claims may be unlawful. He argues that taxpayers should not fund initiatives that favor DEI over merit.
Taxpayers should never foot the bill for woke DEI policies or initiatives,wrote Moreno.
The ordinance, approved by the Cincinnati City Council in June, aims to streamline the contracting process while maintaining a focus on DEI. Moreno argues that this could lead to discrimination in the contracting process by prioritizing race or ethnicity over competence.
Moreno’s letter also highlights the Justice Department’s guidance against unlawful discrimination, a stance echoed by the Trump administration’s actions to curtail DEI initiatives. President Trump’s executive orders have sought to eliminate DEI programs and DEI-focused hiring and training practices.
Moreno emphasizes a return to merit-based selection processes for public contracts. He insists that Cincinnati should better manage public funds.
The senator points to the city’s statement regarding the ordinance’s objectives:
The goal of this restructuring is not to reduce the city’s focus on inclusion. Instead, it is intended to strengthen it,Moreno wrote.
Moreno requests information from Mayor Pureval on federal funding received during fiscal years 2024 to 2026, the ordinance’s cost, and the process for awarding city contracts. He also asks how Cincinnati plans to comply with Justice Department guidance and address recent public safety challenges, such as the city’s $30 million budget deficit.
Moreno concludes by stating:
Instead of fueling divisive social experiments, these public funds should be redirected to protecting Cincinnatians and restoring order to Ohio’s streets.
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