Houston’s Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprise Program (MWSBE) is a municipal contracting initiative created in 1984. The program sets quantified goals for the share of city contracts awarded to minority-owned, women-owned, and small businesses. Tuesday’s ruling permanently blocks the race-based components of the MWSBE program. However, Houston may continue directing contracts towards small businesses and women-owned businesses. In a statement, Houston City Attorney Arturo Michel said the city will comply with the court’s ruling regarding existing and recently awarded contracts through the pendency of any potential appeal.