A Governor Directive issued more than 20 years ago currently still restricts certain state agencies and higher education institutions from considering diversity in hiring and contracting decisions. Directive 98-01 was signed by former Governor Locke in 1998 at a time when the state was reacting to passage of I-200 prohibiting discriminating against or providing preferential
treatment on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.
While Directive 98-01 didn’t directly impact cities, cities support diversity, equity, and inclusion and want to encourage the same in all government hiring and contracting practices. Governor Inslee’s office is actively reviewing the old
directive to determine how best to replace it in a way that meets the needs of our state in today’s environment. AWC President Kent Keel has written a letter to the Governor, indicating support for that effort
and the need for all levels of government to focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The cities of Seattle and Tacoma and King County have also weighed in encouraging action.