An emotional exchange took place during a recent hearing in Texas involving the state's Water Board Development Chair, L'Oreal Stepney, who was questioned about diversity hiring policies by GOP state Rep. Brian Harrison. Stepney, who is Black, gave an emotional defense of her credentials after facing scrutiny over the agency's hiring practices.
Following the tense exchange, top Republicans in Texas, including Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, publicly supported Stepney and her service. Republican lawmakers criticized Harrison for his line of questioning, with Rep. Greg Bonnen emphasizing the importance of respectful dialogue.
Harrison, known for his criticism of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in state government, questioned Stepney and another Black official, Edna Jackson, regarding the agency's strategic plan to reflect the state's diversity in its workforce.
During the hearing, Stepney passionately defended her qualifications, highlighting her 33 years of service to the state and her engineering degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. She emphasized her commitment to protecting the drinking water supply for millions of Texans.
Responding to criticism, Harrison defended his questioning as professional and stated that he had raised similar concerns with other agency heads. Democratic Rep. Nicole Collier expressed outrage at the situation, describing it as a reflection of systemic racism.
The incident underscored ongoing debates surrounding diversity hiring policies and the need for respectful discourse in government proceedings. Stepney's emotional defense of her credentials served as a powerful reminder of the dedication and expertise that individuals bring to public service roles.
