June 26 (Bloomberg) -- The Supreme Court’s rejection
yesterday of a central element of the 1965 Voting Rights Act
took aim at a measure that not only broke down barriers to
political participation in the South but also made significant
contributions to the economic wellbeing of black southerners and
to the region as a whole.
Some of the economic benefits were apparent almost
immediately after enactment. Surveys reported more paved roads
and streetlights in black residential areas, better access to
city and county services, and increased black hiring in public-sector jobs, including police and fire departments.
