No. Implicitly, this question presumes an unproven correlation between a M / WBE {a.k.a. woman owned business } business' ability to provide a quality product or service and the race, ethnicity, or gender of its owner(s). Affirmative action assures equitable opportunities for those businesses that have been excluded because of the owner(s) race, ethnicity or gender to compete. Clearly, not all white male owned and operated businesses are more qualified than businesses owned by non-white individuals. California's WBE program has never included any form of "set aside" or other provision requiring that award of a contract be made without regard to the business' ability to provide the product or service according to requested specifications; e.g., price, workmanship, quality, delivery time, etc.

Isn't Affirmative Action reverse discrimination against white males?

No. Historically and currently, the majority of award decisions are made by white males. The purpose of affirmative action is to counteract the effects of past and present discrimination of M / WBE {a.k.a. woman owned business } and/or preferential treatment, practices that have effectively excluded firms owned and controlled by persons who are not white and male. Further, it is incorrect to presume that white males are excluded by the operation of the state's WBE program. White males can own up to 49 percent of an WBE and, in fact, approximately 12 percent of certified WBE firms have at least one white male owner. Additionally, over 24 percent of certified Women Business Enterprises (WBE) have community property ownership, meaning the businesses are owned by women whose spouses are white and male.

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