Scottsdale council looks to emulate Trump policies on DEI and return-to-work
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The Scottsdale City Council will consider ending programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and will weigh forcing city employees to fully return to in-office work at its Tuesday meeting.
Why it matters: The council, which tacked further toward the right with the November election of a new mayor and several new council members, is taking inspiration from some of President Trump's most controversial policy proposals.
State of play: The first ordinance would prohibit city funds from being used for city programs and initiatives that promote DEI.
- This includes the city's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which has been around since 1998 and supports the city's Human Relations Committee, employee resource groups and the city's scholarship program for students with disabilities.
- The ordinance also would require the city to hire and promote employees solely based on merit.
- The return-to-work ordinance would require city executives to determine timelines to cease remote-work options for their employees.
Between the lines: The proposals were added to the agenda at the behest of new Council Member Jan Dubauskas and at least three other elected officials, city spokesperson Holly Peralta told Axios.
- Dubauskas and fellow Council Member Adam Kwasman, also elected in November, have been particularly vocal about the DEI policy proposal.
What they're saying: "You can't walk into Scottsdale City Hall without being bombarded with DEI. This poison will be rooted-out of our beautiful city. No matter one's race, orientation or creed, we value content of character," new Council Member Adam Kwasman posted to X on Jan. 23 with photos of fliers advertising the city's diversity campaign dubbed "Scottsdale for All."
The other side: Council Member Solange Whitehead, who's served since 2019, is leading the charge against both ordinances.
- "Telling the world that we don't value everyone is bad for Scottsdale. Consider the impacts on tourism alone," Whitehead said in a campaign email responding to the DEI proposal.
- She told the Scottsdale Progress the work-from-home order would have negative consequences on recruitment and retention.