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 Office of Equity was created to address the deep-rooted systemic inequities that continue to plague Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in our state agencies, our public policy, and the services and programs the state delivers to communities across the state.
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. 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.
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.
We reject the false notion that the work of equity and justice can be effectively replaced by nonprofits or other entities that do not have the mandate, resources, or power to drive meaningful change. The Office of Equity was created for a reason — to hold government accountable to the people it serves, especially those who have been historically denied justice. We cannot afford to go backward.
The Washington State Legislative Black Caucus stands united in opposition to House Bill 1959 and calls on lawmakers to reject this harmful proposal. 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.
We will not stand idly by while our communities are silenced and neglected. Our work is not done. Our fight for justice is not over.
Chair Kristine Reeves
30th Legislative District
Vice Chair Brandy Donaghy
44th Legislative District
Communications Chair Natasha Hill
3rd Legislative District
Senator T’wina Nobles
28th Legislative District
Representative April Berg
44th Legislative District
Representative Debra Entenman
47th Legislative District
Representative Melanie Morgan
29th Legislative District
Representative Julia Reed
36th Legislative District
Representative Shaun Scott
43rd Legislative District
Representative Chipalo Street
37th Legislative District
Representative Jamila Taylor
30th Legislative District