Affirmative Action Initiative I-1000 Approved By Lawmakers

OLYPMIA, WA — The House and Senate both approved I-1000, the affirmative action initiative, on Sunday. The measure allows the state to create policies that use race, sex, age, nationality, and other factors in hiring.

I-1000 is a response to I-200, a measure approved in 1998 with 58 percent of the vote that banned preferential treatment in hiring based on factors like race and sex. I-1000 does not repeal I-200, and it does not require preferential treatment based on certain characteristics.

I-1000, according to the bill analysis, focuses on recruiting, hiring, and promoting under-represented groups.

"Initiative 200 (I-200) created confusion and ambiguity. When adopted, many agencies and institutions stopped outreach and recruitment efforts. Initiative 1000 does not overturn I-200, but clarifies the law to say that outreach and recruitment are not prohibited. Actively recruiting people to diversify ranks increases the pool for selection. People still have to meet qualifications and be chosen on merit, but the measure gives people a chance to know about available programs and opportunities," the nonpartisan bill analysis says.

I-1000 passed the house 56 to 42 (see full roll call vote here) and 26-22 in the Senate (see roll call here). The vote in the Senate was mostly along party lines, with all Republicans voting no. Only state Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, and Tim Sheldon, D-Shelton, voted no. In the House, the only Democrat to vote "no" was Aberdeen Rep. Brian Blake.