The Sconi

The Joint Legislative Audit Committee in Wisconsin has voted 6-4 to instruct the state auditor to investigate the implementation and outcomes of Governor Tony Evers' 2019 order to prioritize "diversity, equity and inclusion" (DEI) within state agencies. The order also mandated equity and inclusion training for all state employees.

The audit will be conducted by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau, which will assess what actions were taken by agencies in response to the governor's order, how much was spent on these efforts, and what results have been achieved.

Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee), however, expressed reservations about the audit during a committee vote on Tuesday. He argued that questioning the effectiveness of the governor's orders could potentially harm veterans and viewed the audit as an attempt to influence public opinion.

Carpenter referenced earlier comments made by Sen. Eric Wimberger (R-Green Bay), co-chairman of the committee, suggesting that they indicated a right-wing bias underlying the audit. Wimberger had lamented what he saw as a shift in understanding of "diversity" from being race-neutral and focused on diversity of thought to an emphasis on immutable characteristics.

Wimberger also critiqued DEI efforts for creating social divisions and potential discrimination against certain groups, such as Asians in college admissions.

Democrats who voted against the audit argued that no investigation should be conducted as DEI initiatives are generally accepted as beneficial, citing support from institutions like the Pentagon and large corporations.

However, critics argue that if DEI is indeed beneficial, it would be important to confirm whether state agencies are effectively implementing these orders. Yet, they suggest that DEI appears to be a topic that cannot withstand scrutiny or discussion.

The governor's order itself has been criticized for its use of language: it begins by referencing equality but then shifts focus to "equity," a term used 13 times throughout the order. Critics argue that while "equity" may sound similar to equality, it implies unequal treatment in pursuit of equal outcomes, a concept many Americans oppose.

The audit could potentially vindicate Governor Evers or support Wimberger's critique of mandatory DEI training as enforcing an imbalance of resources among different groups.

The outcome of the audit is eagerly awaited by those who believe it will provide valuable insights into the implementation and effectiveness of DEI initiatives in Wisconsin.

Patrick McIlheran is the Director of Policy at the Badger Institute. Permission to reprint is granted as long as the author and Badger Institute are properly cited.