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The Michigan House of Representatives has passed a proposal to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hiring initiatives in state departments. The measure aims to base hiring decisions solely on merit-based factors. State Representative Joseph G. Pavlov, a Republican from Smiths Creek, co-sponsored the legislation and has been an advocate for this policy since assuming office.

“Merit should not be a partisan issue,” Pavlov stated during his speech on the House floor. “Merit-based hiring and promotion is simple: you do a good job, and you’ll be rewarded. Why any other metric matters is a mystery. There is no place for DEI in our government.”

Interestingly, the legislation was introduced by Democrat State Rep. Erin Byrnes of Dearborn along with over thirty other Democratic sponsors despite her previous support for DEI initiatives. The introduction appeared accidental as it mirrored Republican-sponsored bills from the last term. Nevertheless, all but one original sponsor maintained their support and voted in favor of it.

“Though the circumstances of this legislation getting introduced and passed were strange, this is still a great policy that will ensure taxpayer dollars go to hiring the best and brightest talents into public service,” Pavlov remarked. He emphasized that Michigan taxpayers deserve assurance that their government hires capable workers without preference based on race or gender.

The passage of this anti-DEI proposal marks what Pavlov describes as "a good first step" toward ending such practices within state agencies.