In a move that seems rather Orwellian, Governor Kate Brown has now detailed her support for House Bill 2167 , which will codify into state law the Racial Justice Council (RJC).

Kate Brown convened the controversial Racial Justice Council last summer. Members of Oregon’s Black, Indigenous, Native American, Tribal, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and communities of color from across the state were used to create the Council.

HB 2167 is meant to continue this council beyond the Governor's tenure.

HB 2167 claims to end racism in Oregon for good through:

• Codifying, in statute, requirements for Oregon governors and state agencies to engage with BIPOC and Tribal communities in the development of their budgets and legislative agendas.
• Creating connections between the RJC and its committees with legislative champions to further the work of creating a racially just Oregon.
• Creating a system to continue supporting state agencies in program development and implementation that is rooted in racial justice and moving Oregon to a place where a person’s race no longer predicts their outcomes.

"Government intervention is critical to disrupting and dismantling systemic bias and structural racism. Only then will we be able to redistribute the power, influence, opportunities, and distribution of resources in order to achieve a racially just Oregon. " said Governor Kate Brown.

--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-02-28 14:59:12

Last Update: 2021-02-28 15:28:49