Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, sent a letter to Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval on Thursday demanding answers about a newly enacted city ordinance that creates a Department of Economic Inclusion and Procurement.
The ordinance, approved by the Cincinnati City Council in June, reorganizes the city's procurement process under the new department. According to documents cited by Moreno, the restructuring aims to make contracting more efficient while preserving its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
In his letter, which was also sent to the Justice Department, Moreno argued that taxpayers should not fund what he called an expanding DEI bureaucracy that may conflict with federal guidance.
What the Right Is Saying
Moreno has been vocal in his opposition to government DEI programs, aligning with the Trump administration's executive orders targeting such initiatives across federal agencies. In his letter, he wrote that "taxpayers should never foot the bill for woke DEI policies or initiatives."
The senator argued the ordinance "completely ignores" Justice Department guidance warning against unlawful discrimination in contracting. He contended that resources would be better directed toward public safety and addressing the city's fiscal challenges.
Moreno wrote: "Ohioans deserve to know that their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are awarded to individuals and businesses based on merit, not race or ethnicity."
He also pointed to what he described as a surge in violent crime, including multiple homicides and a recent mass shooting, arguing these issues should take priority over administrative restructuring.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocates and city officials have defended the ordinance as a practical restructuring aimed at improving government efficiency. The city's explanation of the ordinance states that the goal is to strengthen inclusion efforts, not reduce them. Supporters argue this approach ensures historically underrepresented businesses have fair access to public contracts.
City Council members who backed the measure have pointed to data showing disparities in contract awards to minority-owned businesses. They contend that structured oversight helps ensure transparency and accountability in how public dollars are spent.
Mayor Pureval's office had not issued a formal response at the time of publication, though representatives indicated they were reviewing the senator's letter.
What the Numbers Show
Cincinnati is facing a $30 million budget deficit that city officials are working to address. The amount of federal funding the city received during fiscal years 2024 through 2026 has not been publicly disclosed in detail.
The Trump administration has signed executive orders eliminating DEI programs across the federal government and directing agencies to review recipients of federal funding for compliance with anti-discrimination laws. The Justice Department has issued guidance warning against what it describes as unlawful discrimination in government contracting.
Moreno's letter requests a response within five business days, including data on federal funding amounts, projected costs of the new department, and details on the contract award process.
The Bottom Line
The exchange represents an escalation in ongoing debates over DEI programs at the state and local level. Moreno is seeking information about how Cincinnati intends to align its practices with evolving federal guidance on contracting and non-discrimination.
City officials have not yet responded publicly to the senator's specific requests for financial data or contract process details. The outcome of this exchange could set precedents for how Ohio municipalities navigate tensions between inclusion initiatives and federal compliance requirements.
Watch for Mayor Pureval's formal response, expected within the five-business-day window. Any DOJ action based on Moreno's referral would represent a significant expansion of federal scrutiny beyond Washington, D.C.