JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Mike Parson was noncommittal Wednesday when asked about language inserted into the state budget that would ban state government spending on diversity, equity and inclusion.
A day after House Republicans backed a series of amendments to the state budget that would prohibit government funding from paying for staff, vendors, consultants and programs “associated with diversity, equity (and) inclusion,†Parson did not express an opinion about the latest culture war topic that has sparked calls of racism from Democrats.
“We’ll see what the Senate does with that. I mean, it’s a long way from being done,†Parson told the Post-Dispatch outside his office in the Capitol.
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The chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, said the proposal is likely to be changed when the package hits the Senate.
“I think we’re working on some compromise language,†Hough said, adding that he has discussed the matter with the governor’s office.
“I don’t know that we know all of the ramifications of what that language will do,†Hough said. “I don’t know what it really does. I think we all know the intent, but I’m not sure what they drafted is going to get us there.â€
Under the proposed restrictions, state spending would be banned from going to initiatives that promote “collective guilt,†“the concept that disparities are necessarily tied to oppression†and “intersectional or divisive identity activism,†among other concepts.
The new language was sponsored by Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, who is a Baptist minister. He claims his proposal will combat “critical race theory†and “neo-Marxist thought.â€
“You can’t promote treating one group of people better than others. You can’t promote the idea of collective guilt,†Richey said during debate on the House floor Tuesday.
The budget proposal now heads to the Senate, which could remove the amendments, triggering further negotiations between the two chambers before they send the $50 billion spending plan to the governor’s desk.
The prohibition on doing business with companies that have DEI policies, however, could affect thousands of vendors who hold state contracts across more than a dozen state agencies.
For example, the state recently inked a $45 million contract with Philadelphia-based Aramark to provide food service at state prisons.
On its website, Aramark outlines its commitment to diversity and inclusion, saying the company believes having a diverse workforce “benefits everyone.â€
“In order to provide strategic focus and direction to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion among our employees, clients, customers, suppliers, and communities, we created an Executive Diversity Council. At Aramark, creating positive change will always be a core value,†the company says.
Another major state computer services vendor, Maryland Heights-based World Wide Technology, also has diversity and inclusion policies.
“Our priority is to continuously improve our culture of inclusion and equality by enhancing employee safety and well-being, listening to our teammates, fostering equality and creating a great place to work for all,†the company said in a joint statement by Chairman David Steward and CEO Jim Kavanaugh.
The state also purchases vehicles for its various fleets, including cars, trucks and SUVs built by the Ford Motor Co., which has a large manufacturing plant in Claycomo.
On its website, Ford also said it is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Creating a culture of belonging isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing,†the company said. “Diversity breeds innovation and the companies that attract the most talented and diverse workforce will succeed in our rapidly changing world.â€
The House is expected to sign off on the spending plan on Thursday, with the Senate taking up the package of bills as early as next week.