Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon government agencies will face increased scrutiny over whether they’re reaching state affirmative action goals.

That was the message Gov. Ted Kulongoski had Tuesday for leaders of those agencies.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman has more.

Kulongoski says the state needs to improve efforts to create opportunities for minorities.

The Governor issued an executive order calling for stepped up audits of state agencies.  Kulongoski says the goal is to make sure managers are carrying out affirmative action policies.

Ted Kulongoski:  “I’m going to be finding out exactly whether it’s something we talk about a lot, or it’s something we actually implement in fact.  And that’s what I want to see done.”

Kulongoski says the renewed affirmative action push will not include hiring quotas.

Oregon is alone among west coast states when it comes to affirmative action in state government.  In the 1990’s voters in both Washington and California passed initiatives to ban the practice.

Online:

Governor Kulongoski’s Executive Order 08-18 .pdf

Oregon’s Affirmative Action Office