Washington Legislative Black Caucus Opposes Bill to Abolish Office of Equity

The Washington State Legislative Black Caucus has strongly criticized a new Republican-backed bill that seeks to abolish the Office of Equity, calling it a “deeply harmful” move that threatens racial equity and justice.

House Bill 1959, introduced this week by Republican state Reps. Jeremie Dufault of Selah, Travis Couture of Allyn, and Matt Marshall of Eatonville aim to eliminate the Office of Equity, citing a projected taxpayer savings of $19.5 million.

In response, the Legislative Black Caucus condemned the bill, arguing that dismantling the office would undermine progress made in addressing systemic inequities. The Office of Equity, which was established in 2020 within the Office of the Governor, was designed to combat deeply rooted disparities and promote equal access, justice, and opportunities for all Washington residents—particularly those from historically marginalized communities.

“If the Office of Equity is eliminated, it would perpetuate the injustice, poverty, and disparity that BIPOC communities continue to endure,” the Black Caucus said in a statement issued on February 13. "We must continue fighting for policies that ensure every Washingtonian, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background, has the opportunity to thrive."

The lawmakers expressed their commitment to strengthening the office’s work rather than dismantling it. "Instead of dismantling progress, we urge legislators to expand the work of the Office of Equity," the Caucus emphasized.

Rep. Dufault, the bill’s prime sponsor, disagrees with the Black Caucus' stance. He argued that the state should focus on providing equal opportunities rather than equal outcomes, stating that funding an office for equal results is unnecessary. “We don’t need to spend $20 million on an office of equal results,” Dufault said in an emailed statement. “There are already many state agencies that promote equal opportunities.”

The bill’s proposal comes amid ongoing national debates over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Former President Donald Trump’s administration classified DEI initiatives as "radical" and “wasteful,” prompting a national reevaluation of such programs in various sectors.

Despite the federal push against DEI, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson reaffirmed his commitment to DEI programs. “Even if federal funding is revoked, Washington will continue to use its own resources to advance its goals,” Ferguson stated on Thursday.

House Bill 1959 outlines a broader vision for state funding priorities, focusing on excellent schools, safe streets, high-quality infrastructure, and supporting vulnerable populations. However, the Legislative Black Caucus argues that eliminating the Office of Equity would set back these priorities, particularly for underrepresented groups.

The bill is currently under review in the state legislature.