Before Trump, some states had already ended affirmative action for contractors – here’s what happened

Contractors affected by affirmative action bans at the state level saw a drop in employee head count but were no less likely to go out of business.

By: Ben Rosa, University of Michigan, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 4, 2026

Words: 852

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

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By Ben Rosa, University of Michigan

President Donald Trump made headlines early in his second term when he ordered that affirmative action programs be dismantled. Less noticed was the fact that quite a few states had already eliminated such preferences for contractors, in some cases years ago.

This record can now provide some answers as to how businesses owned and operated by underrepresented groups actually fare after these measures take effect.

I’m an economist who …

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