In Connecticut, the state’s Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities administers an affirmative action program that has, until recently, only applied to state public works construction projects whose cost is greater than $50,000. Although the program has admirable goals, its implementation has been inconsistent. Part of the problem is the Commission’s inability to effectively administer the program. For example, effective January 1, 2015, the Commission instituted a “temporary policy” that allowed it to retain 2 percent retainage for a period of at least 120 days while the Commission “works diligently to eliminate of its backlog” of affirmative action plans requiring approval. Almost a year later, that temporary policy remains in effect despite its questionable validity.

Section 46a-68j-26 requires the Commission to review affirmative actions plans within 60 days of receipt; yet, it has failed to do so. As a result, by executive fiat, the Commission gave itself the right to retain a contractor’s funds while it takes more than twice the time allowed by its own regulations to perform its designated function. Moreover, if the Commission was experiencing a backlog at the beginning of the year, that problem must be getting worse. Effective October 1, 2015, the affirmative action requirements now apply to every “municipal public works contract or contract for a quasi-public agency.” Conn.