| By Big Radio News Staff |
Two Beloit City Council members defend diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
At a candidate forum last week, the moderator asked council member Sherry Blakeley what changes she might expect to take place if the federal government threatens to cut funding off for municipalities with DEI practices.
Blakeley said the city government would stand up to any threats to that funding, saying it’s illegal for a president to sign an executive order to withhold federal funding over a political disagreement. She says the city would be prepared to file a lawsuit to protect its federal funding.
Candidate Lori Marshall, who is currently on the Rock County Board, said DEI efforts like training and quotas drain the city budget with little to show and said Beloit is a diverse city that has a history of giving people a fair shot.
Council member Yusuf Adama said it doesn’t cost any money to have DEI initiatives and that they help ensure that organizations pick the best people for jobs. Adama also said Beloit having diverse demographics wouldn’t guarantee a diverse city workforce.
