By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Community advocates and members of The Washington State Legislative Black Caucus (WSLBC) is strongly condemning a new legislative proposal that it says is a direct attack on racial equity and justice in Washington state. House Bill 1959, introduced by Washington state Republicans, seeks to abolish the Office of Equity, sparking fierce opposition from civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers.
Sponsored by Republican state Reps. Jeremie Dufault of Selah, Travis Couture of Allyn, and Matt Marshall of Eatonville, the bill proposes eliminating the Office of Equity, citing a projected taxpayer savings of $19.5 million.
“The legislature finds that government should prioritize funding for safe streets, excellent schools, protection of the most vulnerable, and reliable, high-quality infrastructure, while allowing individuals, families, and businesses to thrive,” the bill states. “If the Office of Equity has strong public support, it could be reconstituted to operate as a nonprofit organization but will no longer be serviced at taxpayer expense.”
The proposal has been met with sharp criticism from equity advocates who argue that dismantling the office would roll back years of progress in ensuring fair access to state services for historically marginalized communities.
Paula Sardinas, president and CEO of FMS Global Strategies, a public affairs and community engagement consulting firm, called the bill “one of the most dangerous” introduced this session.
“HB 1959 is one of the most dangerous bills introduced this session—it seeks to completely eliminate Washington’s Office of Equity, stripping away the only state office dedicated to ensuring racial justice, accountability, and fairness in state policy,” Sardinas said. “This is not just an attack on equity—it is an attack on every Black, Brown, Indigenous, and marginalized community in our state.”
Sardinas claims that the bill is not about cost-cutting but about erasing the voices of communities of color from state decision-making.
“Let’s be clear: This bill is a blatant attempt to silence our voices, erase decades of progress, and dismantle the very systems designed to protect our communities from systemic harm,” said Sardinas.
The Office of Equity, established in 2020 under the governor’s office, was created to address deep-rooted systemic inequities in state agencies, policies, and services. The Washington State Legislative Black Caucus (WSLBC) warns that eliminating the office would not only weaken efforts to combat racial disparities but also send a message that Washington state is retreating from its commitment to equity.
In a statement, the WSLBC made clear its strong opposition to the bill.
“The Washington State Legislative Black Caucus (WSLBC) strongly condemns House Bill 1959, which seeks to dismantle the Office of Equity and gut efforts aimed at achieving racial and social justice for marginalized communities across our state,” the caucus said. “This attempt to strip away resources dedicated to dismantling racial disparities is not only shortsighted but also deeply harmful. It sends a message that the state is abandoning its commitment to equity, undermining the work that has been done to lift up marginalized communities, and failing to acknowledge the ongoing struggles that many people of color experience in education, health care, employment, and criminal justice.”
The caucus also emphasized that the Office of Equity plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability and fairness in state policies and services, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities that have historically been excluded from equitable opportunities.
“The Office of Equity serves as a vital resource for promoting policies that ensure equal opportunities, access, and justice for all Washingtonians, particularly those who have been historically excluded and harmed by discriminatory practices,” the statement continued. “This bill’s proposal to eliminate the office is an affront to the hard-won progress toward racial equity and will only perpetuate the cycles of poverty, disparity, and injustice that BIPOC communities face.”
The WSLBC called on lawmakers to reject the bill and instead strengthen the Office of Equity’s role.
“The WSLBC stands united in opposition to House Bill 1959 and calls on lawmakers to reject this harmful proposal,” the caucus said. “Instead of dismantling progress, we urge legislators to strengthen and expand the work of the Office of Equity. We must continue fighting for policies that ensure every Washingtonian—regardless of race, ethnicity, or background—has the opportunity to thrive.”
Sardinas echoed this sentiment, warning that the bill is not about financial savings but about weakening protections for marginalized communities.
“This is not about ‘saving taxpayer dollars.’ This is about erasing our communities from the decision-making table,” Sardinas said. “Without the Office of Equity, who will ensure that Black and Brown businesses get fair access to state contracts? Who will fight for equitable education policies? Who will hold agencies accountable when racial bias seeps into decision-making?”
