OCA Greater Seattle Statement Supporting Governor Jay Inslee’s Executive Order Rescinding the Ban on Affirmative Action

OCA-Greater Seattle supports Governor Jay Inslee’s Executive Order for Equity in Public Contracting and intention to rescind Directive 98-01.

According to the national 2020 Asian American Voter Survey, 70% of Asian Americans support affirmative action. Historically, Asian Americans have supported affirmative action and have resisted attempts by anti-affirmative action groups to pit one racial ethnic group against another.

We believe Governor Inslee’s Order will benefit the public in the following ways:

1. Since 1998, the majority of state contracts went to non-minority firms – up to 98% of contracts. These business opportunities were not accessible to women and minority-owned firms. This Order will open up opportunities for government contracting with small women and minority-owned businesses going forward.

2. This Order will open up opportunities to increase enrollment in public colleges in the State of Washington for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (“BIPOC”) and other minority groups.

3. This order will allow public employers an opportunity to rectify historical discrimination by providing more working opportunities to BIPOC and other minority groups.

To learn more about Governor Inslee’s Executive Order, read the press release here: https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-signs-executive-order-equity-public-contracting-and-announces-intention-rescind