State Rep. Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) introduced LRB-0103/2 on Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month, seeking to create an Office for Equity and Inclusion.
“I am bringing forth legislation to address the profound racial inequality in our state. It is time to confront the appalling truth: Wisconsin has the most extreme racial disparities in the country,” Stubbs said in a statement. “Our residents of color, especially African American people, are subjected to inequity in every sector of life. In employment, education, housing, health care, and economic opportunities, people of color in our state have less access and worse outcomes than their white counterparts.”
This bill seeks to rectify injustices Wisconsin citizens of color face by creating a Council for Equity and Inclusion as well as an Office for Equity and Inclusion, both of which will be attached to the Department of Administration. These bodies, who will report to the governor and state Legislature, would establish and annually update a statewide plan for equity and inclusion, as well as coordinate with designated individuals to implement and enforce this plan.
Stubbs noted that Wisconsin has the worst unemployment disparity in the nation, with Black Wisconsinites almost three times more likely to be unemployed than white Wisconsinites. “When we fail to address these disparities, we fail our Black community members and our Black families,” Stubbs said.
