A federal court has ruled that a White Texas business owner, R. Greg Gomm, did not have the legal standing to challenge a program designed to provide financial aid to small businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Gomm and his business, DigitalDesk Inc., were denied funds under the Bexar County Small Business Assistance Program. They claimed that the denial was based on the color of Gomm’s skin and violated their equal protection rights under the Constitution.
The program awarded grants based on a scoring system that gave extra points to companies owned by veterans, women, or minorities. Gomm argued that this system was racially biased and discriminated against him as a White business owner. However, the federal court found that Gomm did not have legal standing to challenge the program on the grounds of racial bias.
Judge Jason Pulliam emphasized that the program was intended to provide assistance to businesses disproportionately affected by the pandemic. While Gomm may have been unhappy with the outcome of the program, the court determined that his claims of racial bias did not have merit in this case. The ruling underscores the challenges faced by businesses seeking financial aid during the pandemic and the importance of ensuring equitable distribution of resources.
In conclusion, while R. Greg Gomm had every right to feel frustrated about being denied funding for his business during these challenging times, he ultimately failed in his legal efforts to challenge a program designed specifically to help those most in need. The ruling serves as a reminder that we must continue working towards creating an equitable society where everyone has access to resources and opportunities regardless of their background or skin color.
