The revised policy comes in response to executive orders issued under the Trump administration and the U.S. Department of Justice, including federal funding cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion programs, water agency\u2019s attorney Stephen Tatum said in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Funding could be revoked from agencies or others if they\u2019re found to violate executive orders<\/a>, federal officials have warned.\u00a0<\/p>\n The change will affect some of the water district\u2019s contracts that require reporting on companies certified by the Minority or Women-Owned Business Enterprise, Tatum said.<\/p>\n The water district\u2019s policy is intended to promote \u201cfull and equal\u201d opportunities for businesses contracted by the water district for its operations and projects, such as the $2.3 billion Integrated Water Pipeline project<\/a>, a transmission line that moves water from east Texas reservoirs to Dallas-Fort Worth water suppliers.\u00a0<\/p>\n The revision also eliminates the water district\u2019s protocol prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Additions to the policy mandate that the water district is forbidden to exercise prejudice on \u201cany other basis prohibited by law.\u201d<\/p>\n Also eliminated from the text is the water district\u2019s recognition of diverse business certifications such as the Texas Unified Certification Program and those issued by the Small Business Administration.<\/p>\n The removal of the language follows a series of North Texas cities, including Fort Worth<\/a> and Arlington<\/a>, who\u2019ve moved to alter or suspend diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as the Trump administration vows to cut DEI programs from government spending.<\/p>\n Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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