NEWS RELEASE
The Goldwater Institute won a significant legal victory today to protect businesses from government-sanctioned discrimination that had cost taxpayers extra money for years.
In Pima County, Superior Court Judge Gus Aragon struck down an ordinance by the City of Tucson that established “bid preferences” for local businesses. If a business was located close enough to Tucson City Hall, that business could be selected for city contracts even if the company charged taxpayers more than its competitors from Phoenix, Yuma, or outside of Arizona.
Judge Aragon ruled this kind of government discrimination clearly violates both the Arizona Constitution and U.S. Constitution. Government should focus on providing taxpayers with the best service for the lowest possible cost, instead of disrupting free markets to stack the deck against some businesses that just want a chance to compete.
This ruling will affect bid preferences all across Arizona, and can be used in other states. Although the city may appeal the ruling, it is an outstanding opening victory and a terrific win for one of our senior attorneys, Jon Riches.
Thank you for your support that make this legal victory possible. To learn more about the case, Hirshman v. Rothschild, please visit here:
