For MLK Day, Inslee Updates Affirmative Action Guidelines
OLYMPIA, WA — In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday issued an executive order altering the state's affirmative action guidelines.
"Today, as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I am taking action to change how we achieve equity within the law in our state," Inslee said in a written statement. "Achieving equal opportunity has always been foundational to our country’s history and each of us bears the responsibility to stand up and keep this unalienable right for all Washingtonians. Everyone deserves a fair chance to live to the fullest – everyone."
The executive order rescinds Directive 98-01 which the governor's office says gave "overly restrictive" instructions on how to implement affirmative action initiative 200. Initiative 200 prevents the state from discriminating against (or granting preferential treatment) to any individual on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.
Directive 98-01 was first issued on Dec. 3, 1998, and signed by Gov. Gary Locke. In a news release, Locke praised Inslee's decision to update the old code.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/for-mlk-day-inslee-updates-affirmative-action-guidelines/ar-AASSB0V