A proposed California bill that would permit state funds to be used for programs based on race has ignited a fierce debate, raising concerns about potential state-sanctioned discrimination. Assemblymember Corey Jackson, a Democrat, introduced ACA-7, arguing it's necessary to address persistent inequalities across various sectors for specific communities. The bill seeks to modify the state constitution to allow taxpayer funding for programs targeting particular groups based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, or marginalized genders, sexes, or sexual orientations.
The bill passed the Assembly’s Judiciary Committee along party lines and now moves to the Appropriations Committee. However, the vote was accompanied by a tense exchange between Jackson and Republican Assemblymember Bill Essayli, who voiced his opposition.
Jackson insisted on the factual nature of the issue, while Essayli cited public opinion against affirmative action, referencing Proposition 209. He argued against incorporating race into governmental policies, emphasizing equal treatment for all. Essayli, identifying as a minority himself, stated his desire for equal treatment, not preferential treatment based on race.
The disagreement spilled over onto Twitter, where Essayli criticized the bill as regressive, and Jackson accused Essayli of seeking approval from white supremacists. Essayli retweeted a post condemning Jackson’s accusation as "disgusting."
