An open letter to Governor Josh Shapiro
Regarding Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs
Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus November 3, 2025 | 10:11 AM
November 1, 2025 - An open letter to Governor Josh Shapiro
The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC) was recently made aware of the Trump Administration’s Interim Final Rule (IFR) directing state transportation departments to discontinue their current Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) procurement programs effective October 3rd. The Trump Administration contends that gender and race should not be factors considered in the determination of disadvantage. This is a familiar argument from them as it has been the basis of almost every strong-handed, overreaching tactic by this Federal Government to backtrack on the injustices of the nation’s past and the tendency toward systemic discrimination without transparency and intentionality.
The Trump administration is trying to justify this latest attempt to dismantle a critical lifeline for opportunity for minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses on a court case, Mid-America Milling vs the US Department of Transportation. This justification for administrative precedent is at best premature seeing as the case has not yet been decided in our court system. The PLBC applauds the City of Pittsburgh in filing their amicus brief supporting the DBE system as structured and the efforts of the city to advocate for all of their constituents.
The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus is calling on you, Governor Shapiro, to offer public comment on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania before the public comment deadline on November 3rd. Your comments must:
- Denounce the Trump Administration’s premature rule setting
- Defend the critical nature of our Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program
- Tout your administration’s successes in DBE contracting and the efforts to make even greater progress in utilization in the years ahead
- Reject any attempt to discontinue the public reporting of DBE contracting outcomes as such reporting is essential to transparent and accountable government
- Stand up for the City of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania’s other local governments that would have their autonomy pre-empted by the Federal overreach
Governor Shapiro, you have told us time and again of your administration’s efforts to take on the Trump onslaught. The PLBC is ready to fight alongside you, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Department of General Services, our cities, PA’s great civil rights and job training organizations, and our disadvantaged businesses to continue to build a sustainable and equitable economy.