As a bill in the North Carolina House aiming to ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts clears its initial hurdle, local elected officials from Orange County are speaking out about the measure.
House Bill 171 – which is sponsored exclusively by Republican state lawmakers and was filed on Feb. 21 – would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion workforce initiatives supported by governments and increase the penalties for those who continue to participate in such efforts. It also aims to stop all future public funds to DEI-related projects and discontinue any existing programs using state or federal funding unless required by federal law. Meanwhile, a state employee who violates the law could lose their job and face a misdemeanor criminal charge if the bill is approved in its current form.
While the bill is still in its early stages, it caught the attention of many Democratic in Raleigh and in the Orange County community.
“I mean, it’s outrageous,” said District 50 Rep. Renée Price, who represents much of rural Orange County in the state House. “We could be impeached just for celebrating our heritage.”
The North Carolina state legislature building in Raleigh.
Because the bill fails to clearly define what it means by “DEI” – a term initially used as an umbrella phrase for efforts to better consider or include underrepresented populations – Price said she fears the punishments could extend to lawmakers’ actions outside of the chamber, including things like simply highlighting Black History, civil rights struggles and historical injustices. And, she added, it extends to any institution supported by the state government.
“It basically says that you’ll be in violation of state law if you take any measures toward advancing diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Price, “particularly in state offices and state departments, and the universities and community colleges that are funded by the state.”
Both Price and District 56 Rep. Allen Buansi participated in the Black Caucus’ press conference last Thursday in Raleigh responding to the bill. In an interview with 97.9 The Hill, Buansi said he believes it’s clear the main motivation is to follow the national rhetoric and efforts President Donald Trump is spearheading.
“It’s really to copy and emulate the stuff that Trump is producing,” Buansi said, referencing an anti-DEI executive order signed by Trump on his first day in office. I don’t think there’s any intention to clarify anything – I think their intention is to follow their leader…who’s Trump.”
Trump’s order is being challenged in court and lacks many policy steps on scaling back or cutting such funding. Already, though, the directives have caused a chilling effect for many initiatives and efforts across all levels as groups await to learn what will be legal to continue. Buansi described both the federal and state efforts as “a ruse” to distract voters from paying attention to actual policy efforts and decisions affecting people’s day-to-day lives.
“We should be about the business in North Carolina of making sure we provide everyone the opportunity to get ahead in life – that means everyone of all walks and backgrounds in North Carolina,” said the Chapel Hill-Carrboro representative. “We should be serious about doing the work we need to do, which is to make life more affordable for folks. And measures like this simply don’t do that. They’re meant to divide and meant to distract from what’s going on.”
One of the two murals at the Town of Carrboro’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park. (Photo via the Town of Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department.)
At the local level, some of Orange County’s governments are already making plans on how to maintain their communities’ values and work that incorporates equity and inclusion into their operations. Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee described HB 171 as “concerning” to her town government and constituents. But she said the town and its staff are committed to their work – signaled by its integration into Carrboro’s long-term planning efforts.
“Race equity is one of the pillars of our comprehensive plan,” the mayor said, “and we also have a chief race and equity officer, and she has an assistant.”
“Whoever may be [following this]: we’re on it,” Foushee added. “We’re keeping track as these bills move through the General Assembly, and we’re starting to have conversations as a council along with Town Manager [Patrice] Toney about how to respond if some of these bills make it over the finish line.”
Currently, HB 171 is awaiting a committee hearing and reading, which is unscheduled on the North Carolina General Assembly’s website.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines