AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — An emotional moment unfolded during a recent hearing in Texas, where L’Oreal Stepney, the Chair of the Texas Water Board Development and an appointee of Governor Greg Abbott, defended her credentials following a tense exchange over the state's diversity hiring policies. The incident drew significant attention and prompted support from top Republican officials in the state.
Stepney, who is Black, found herself in a challenging position during a questioning session led by GOP state Rep. Brian Harrison. He criticized the agency's hiring practices, particularly a mention in its strategic plan that emphasized the need for a workforce to reflect the increasing diversity of Texas. This questioning led to a moment of distress for Stepney, who was visibly emotional and received comfort from other lawmakers.
In the aftermath, Governor Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows all expressed their support for Stepney through public statements. Other Republican lawmakers also criticized Harrison’s approach, asserting that while passionate discussions are important, they should never devolve into comments that demean or belittle individuals. State Rep. Greg Bonnen, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, pointedly remarked on social media about the importance of respectful discourse.
Harrison has a history of opposing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within state government. Although he did not directly challenge the qualifications of Stepney or her colleague Edna Jackson during the hearing, his lines of questioning sparked outrage from Democrats. State Rep. Nicole Collier, who is also Black, highlighted the gravity of the moment, stating it was disheartening to witness two Black women having to defend against what she described as 246 years of systemic racism.
In response to the intense scrutiny, Stepney passionately defended her qualifications. She noted that she has dedicated 33 years of her career to working for the state and highlighted her academic background, which includes two engineering degrees from the University of Texas at Austin—one in aerospace engineering and another in civil engineering. In her heartfelt defense, she expressed gratitude for her appointment, proclaiming, “It was a deep honor for me to be appointed to the board, to be confirmed by the board, and to be appointed chair. I have always been grateful to the governor. What have I done? I have protected the drinking water supply of 31 million Texans.”
The situation reflects broader themes concerning diversity and equity in government, as well as the ongoing dialogues surrounding qualifications and representation in leadership positions. The emotional exchange serves as a reminder of the tensions that exist within the political landscape of Texas and the complexities involved in addressing diversity in state agencies.
