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Affirmative action initiative reaches Washington Legislature

Published 1:30 am Thursday, April 18, 2019

Affirmative action initiative reaches Washington Legislature
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Affirmative action initiative reaches Washington Legislature
People opposed to Initiative 1000 wear T-shirts as they sit in the audience of a joint Washington state House and Senate committee Thursday at the Capitol in Olympia. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Former Washington Governors (from left) Dan Evans, Chris Gregoire and Gary Locke sit together before testifying during a hearing on Initiative 1000 before a joint Washington state House and Senate committee Thursday at the Capitol in Olympia. The Governors spoke in favor of Initiative 1000. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Nat Jackson, the citizen sponsor of Initiative 1000, speaks during a hearing before a joint Washington state House and Senate committee Thursday at the Capitol in Olympia. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

OLYMPIA — An initiative that would bring back affirmative action in Washington has had a contentious hearing at the state Legislature, where advocates and critics alike questioned the role of opportunity and privilege in society.

The initiative would allow the state to use hiring and recruitment goals — but not quotas — to bring minority candidates into state jobs, education, and contracting.

Lawmakers Thursday presided over a lengthy hearing for the measure. Because the measure is an initiative to the Legislature, lawmakers have the option to approve or reject the measure. If they reject it outright it would automatically go on the fall ballot. They also could also suggest an alternative to go on the ballot beside it.

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