Sampson Slams Lamont’s Creation of DEI Office

From the Waterbury Rep-Am: https://www.rep-am.com/top-stories/2024/07/16/lamont-creates-connecticut-office-of-equity-and-opportunity/

Sen. Robert C. Sampson, R-Wolcott, blasted Gov. Ned Lamont’s decision to create the Connecticut Office of Equity and Opportunity for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in state government as a bad recycled idea.

Lamont signed an executive order before leaving July 15 on a trade mission to Germany that establishes the new statewide DEI office within the governor’s office. The administration had announced its intention to take this step earlier this year when state legislators were contemplating such a step. The Lamont administration and Republicans opposed legislation that the Democrat-led Labor and Public Employees Committee introduced in the 2024 session to mandate state agencies create DEI divisions.

The administration maintained its plan to create an Office of Equity and Opportunity within the governor’s office would best advance the legislation’s stated goals. Republicans on the labor committee objected to the creation of DEI offices and the projected $5.3 million annual staffing and operational costs. The committee advanced the bill on a 8-4 vote along party lines. Sampson, the ranking Senate Republican on the labor committee, slammed the governor’s executive order after it was announced last Tuesday. “Not only will this be another colossal waste of taxpayer money that will further grow government and require us to pay for it, it is also patently un-American and discriminatory,” he said. “This policy failed to get across the legislative finish line because it was a terrible idea.” A frustrated Sampson also offered advice to state residents who agree with his position: “To the taxpayers, I can only say: call the governor’s office. Tell him what you think. I have certainly tried my best to prevent this from happening in our state.”