PLI Bulletin

Agency Diversity, Anti-Vaxxers, Stupid Laws and More

Posted on July 28, 2021

Public Agency Diversity Act: Due to many factors, employees in public agencies tend to be disproportionately white and male. The Public Agency Diversity Act requires government offices, when hiring, to reach out to underrepresented racial and ethnic communities, which not only promotes equity but also increases the office’s cultural competence.

Five really stupid laws enacted in 2021: This year, right wingers have been busy enacting an agenda that is so extreme that it often sidetracks to pure stupidity. For five examples where frustration about Trump’s defeat turned into unconstitutionality, public danger and downright absurdity, read the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.

How water shortages across the West are profoundly changing life: The Masters of Disasters, the Los Angeles Times reporters who focus on natural disasters, explain the extreme effects of water shortages due to climate change. You can listen here.

There is no “crime wave;” homicide is up but nothing else: There’s been a great deal of media coverage about a crime wave. In fact, robberies are down 10 percent, property crimes are down 8 percent, rape is down 14 percent. Only murder has increased, and it’s obviously connected to COVID.

Anti-Vaxxers are beyond belief: Not only do 30 percent of Republicans refuse to get vaccinated with another 13 percent “not sure” what they’re going to do, 32 percent of Republicans believe it’s true or probably true that “the U.S. government is using the COVID-19 vaccine to microchip the population.” (See pages 132-3)

How advocacy groups can build relationships with policymakers: Progressive advocates sometimes act or feel like progressive elected officials are their adversaries. This makes little sense because advocates and officials need each other. Chapter 11 of our advocacy book, Preparing to Win, suggests ways to better work together.