Bush vows to increase diversity

Jumping into the affirmative action debate, the governor says he wants to eliminate racial quotas and preferences in government.

By WILLIAM YARDLEY and TIM NICKENS

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 5, 1999

TALLAHASSEE -- As Ward Connerly moves forward with his controversial drive to end affirmative action in Florida government, Gov. Jeb Bush is looking to increase diversity without racial quotas or preferences.

Bush, who has called Connerly's drive "divisive," said Thursday that minorities are under-represented in state contracting and that he plans to propose "programs to ensure that minority business enterprises are given equal access to opportunity."

Even as Bush vowed to increase diversity, he would not rule out using his authority to eliminate what he considers preferences or quotas in state government.

"If we have those things, we will change them," he said.

Cory Tilley, the governor's deputy chief of staff, said Bush is not trying to find a politically convenient middle ground in the affirmative action debate. He said the governor sees merit in both sides.

"If there's a way to accomplish the well-intended goals (of affirmative action) without using preferences and set-asides, then that's what we want to do," Tilley said.

Bush could announce policy changes as early as next week. Bush's stance neither surprised nor upset state Sen. Daryl Jones, a Miami Democrat who plans to fight the Connerly amendment with a pro-affirmative action amendment.

Jones met for two hours Thursday with Bush and his legal staff. He said Bush is working toward an "unprecedented" solution that could transcend preferences.

"What I heard sounded great, but what I see in writing is going to be more important," Jones said. "It will be interesting to see how the governor unveils it. He has to walk a fine line."

Connerly, reached in California, remains skeptical that Bush could do anything sweeping enough to eliminate the need for constitutional amendments to end race- and gender-based preferences. He said no executive order by the governor would cover all levels of government hiring and contracting, or university admissions.

"If there were some way he could give us what we are seeking, I would be tickled to death," Connerly said. "I don't see that he can do it legally."

Connerly has received the bulk of his campaign support from South Florida contractors who complain that county affirmative action policies are unfair.

Connerly said he plans to resume gathering signatures for the amendments while he awaits a ruling from the Florida Supreme Court on the wording of the initiatives. The Florida Civil Rights Initiative will build an organization of paid workers and volunteers to gather signatures, he said.

"We are going to roll the dice a little bit and get back out there," he said.

Connerly said he planned to visit New York today to collect money from supporters who have pledged to contribute to the effort.

Florida NAACP President Leon Russell, a leader of an advocacy group for affirmative action called FREE, said no Bush proposal would be the final word. FREE also is planning to gather signatures for its own constitutional amendment on affirmative action.

"I suspect what he is going to do is make a strong equal opportunity statement but say he doesn't like quotas and preferences, and then somebody should ask him what those are," said Russell. "It doesn't necessarily impact us."

The governor said his staff's ongoing review of affirmative action policies has revealed no discriminatory practices -- including reverse discrimination -- in state hiring.

The policy review began in earnest this summer, as Connerly supporters circulated petitions. Bush does not support the drive, but he has repeatedly said he opposes quotas and preferences.

Bush acknowledged that he could not singlehandedly end all preference programs in state and local government. "There may be a mix of things we have to deal with," he said.

Bush said government workers who award contracts have not always tried to draw from a diverse pool. He said his plan will change that.

Before that plan is finalized, however, Tilley said Bush wants "to hear from leaders in minority communities."

Many have speculated that either amendment could lead to a high turnout of traditionally Democratic black voters next year.

Jones said such a high turnout could hurt the chance of Bush's brother, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination.

"That's not a factor," Gov. Jeb Bush said.

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