THE DEFEAT of an anti-affirmative action ballot question in Houston doesn't breathe new life into such programs. Texas voters were convinced they could mend affirmative action. Their stance mirrors President Clinton's position. But no one seems to know the best way to fix it.
Cities such as Baltimore -- which, like Houston, have ordinances that set goals for minority and woman participation in city contracts -- must work more aggressively to find an alternative. Houston officials promised to make changes in the program. If that doesn't happen soon enough, the courts may step in.
That point was made clear earlier this week when the Supreme Court let stand California's Proposition 209, which prohibits race and gender preferences. It's not difficult to envision a successful court challenge to Baltimore's affirmative action program, which sets "goals" for minority and woman participation but denies contracts to companies viewed as not having done enough to meet them.