ST. LOUIS - Nearly one week after halting new city construction contracts tied to minority- and women-owned business goals, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer publicly defended the move on Thursday, citing threats to federal disaster funds.

On Aug. 1, Spencer wrote a public letter to residents, workers and businesses, explaining the pause was a precaution as the city works to update its contracting policies in response to shifting federal requirements.

Spencer, both in the letter and in a Thursday news conference, noted the changes are necessary to preserve access to critical federal disaster aid, including recovery funds tied to the May 16 tornado that struck St. Louis.

In her public letter, Spencer noted that federal grant rules now require cities and contractors to certify they do not oper

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