From Senator McCune

Dear Friend,

I hope this message finds you well. I write you today to provide you with an important update on the state of Pierce County's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and to urge you one more time to act. As you may be aware, recent developments within Pierce County have raised concerns regarding the trajectory of these initiatives:

First off, let me start with some great news!

As you may have heard, Ordinance 2023-36 which intended to establish a permanent "Commission on Equity" for Pierce County,  was defeated! Republican County Executive Bruce Dammeier stood with the concerns of Republican Councilmembers and, listening to the voices of the grassroots, VETOED the ordinance on October 10th. Our hats off to Executive Dammeier for his VETO!

However, NEW DEVELOPMENTS REQUIRE YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION!

Ordinance 2023-39: Following the veto of 2023-36, the progressive Democrat Council majority, led by LGBTQ2SA activist Ryan Mello, quickly introduced Ordinance 2023-39. As mentioned in a prior email, I share grave concerns about the implications of this ordinance. It seeks to equalize group outcomes, which will lead to special treatment for politically favored groups in the name of "equity." It also replaces gender-specific terms in the personnel code with politically correct gender-neutral language and imposes onerous new responsibilities for county employees, departments, and officials under DEI policies, along with potential consequences for non-compliance.

Cost Concerns: I also have concerns about the significant financial resources devoted to DEI initiatives. The County has already spent over $50,000 that we know of on DEI training for County employees, with sessions led by organizations like the LGBTQ2SA promoting Rainbow Center and groups promoting divisive "anti-racist" ideologies steeped in Critical Race Theory (CRT) and the 1619 Project such as Peoples Gathering (PLU).  Moreover, I was surprised to learn that Pierce County Public Works allocated $402,000 for an "in-depth equity analysis" on one project alone, the Canyon Rd Regional Connection project in 2022-23.

Council Vote on 2023-39: Sadly, at the recent Council meeting on October 10, 2023, Ordinance 2023-39 was passed by a 5-2 vote, this time receiving a puzzling "YES" vote from one of the Council Republicans, Dave Morrell. The significance of this 5-2 vote is that it gives the progressive Democrats a potentially veto-proof super-majority for 2023-39.

BUT THERE IS STILL HOPE TO DEFEAT 2023-39!

We have a limited window to prevent Ordinance 2023-39 from becoming County Code. County Executive Dammeier has until October 24 to veto this ordinance and send it back to the Council for reconsideration. I am confident that, if VETOED by Executive Dammeier, Councilmember Morrell will join his fellow Republican Councilmembers in sustaining the VETO. The Democrats need a 5-2 super majority vote to override the Executive’s Veto. We must urge Executive Dammeier to VETO 2023-39 and Councilmember Morrell to stand with his fellow Council Republicans this time to prevent a VETO override.

TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION:  Contact County Executive Dammeier and Councilmember Dave Morrell and urge them to take the necessary steps to safeguard the values of our community. Let's unite once again and make our voices heard!

Contact Executive Dammeier – Ask him to veto Ordinance 2023-39: pcexecutive@piercecountywa.gov (253) 798-7477

Contact Councilmember Dave Morrell: Ask him to sustain a VETO of 2023-39: Dave.Morell@piercecountywa.gov (253) 798-3635

Thank you for your swift action and unwavering commitment to our community!

Senator Jim McCune