ST. LOUIS – Nearly one week after halting new city construction contracts tied to minority- and women-owned business goals, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer publicly defended the move on Thursday, citing threats to federal disaster funds.
On Aug. 1, Spencer wrote a public letter to residents, workers and businesses, explaining the pause was a precaution as the city works to update its contracting policies in response to shifting federal requirements.
Spencer, both in the letter and in a Thursday news conference, noted the changes are necessary to preserve access to critical federal disaster aid, including recovery funds tied to the May 16 tornado that struck St. Louis…