This bill requires Legislative Policy and Research Director (LPRD) to prepare a racial and ethnic impact statement, if requested by a member or committee of the Legislature to determine the effect on traditionally marginalized groups, and if a negative impact the bill cannot be moved to the floor of either chamber.
Personal Choice and Responsibility
Kills bills with any negative impact on the underserved.
Fiscal Responsibility
Requires LPRD, if requested, to estimate the extent to which the bill or proposed constitutional amendment would have a positive or negative disproportionate or unique impact on one or more traditionally marginalized groups; a statement of the methodologies and assumptions used in preparing the estimate, including a description of any consultation with community-based organizations or persons with expertise in the impact of implicit or inherent bias on traditionally marginalized groups; and an estimate of the racial and ethnic composition of persons who may be affected by the bill or proposed constitutional amendment. A costly endeavor and another way for the majority party to control the agenda.
Limited Government
This would be time consuming for a subjective guess that has no basis in fact. Could have unintended consequences detrimental to the marginalized groups. This has an underlying requirement that all bills will be partial to the ‘underserved’ with a blind eye to equity. At what point does it become “reverse discrimination?” When there is an overwhelming benefit or handout to the ‘underprivileged’ ‘underserved’ to such an extent that it affects every law, then socialism has taken over. Oregon’s population is 85.06% white. So, the under-represent is 15% of the total population. How much does the 85% have to give through taxes, jobs, opportunities, businesses before it violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. which says: “No State make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privilege or immunities of citizens of the United States;… nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Public policy covers everyone equally and when you start name a group, it is no longer equality.
HB2991 should not even be voted on. It is another way to prevent schools from doing their primary job of teaching kids. Our education system in Oregon is already behind most of the nation. Let’s not overburden it with non-essential duties.
If there is a problem, I am sure you will be notified through local school boards. This is just an unnecessary burden on schools and teachers, detracting from educating students.
Schools are one place where discrimination is minimal.