Governor Outlaws Affirmative Action

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed an executive order wiping out race and ethnicity as factors in state university admissions and barring racial set-asides and quotas in state contracting decisions. Bush’s actions come as California businessman Ward Connerly pushes a petition drive to eliminate Florida’s affirmative action programs. Bush, a Republican, said his program “transcended” affirmative action and would unite Floridians. Bush’s plan guarantees state university admission to the top 20% of the state’s high school seniors, adds $20 million to the state’s financial aid budget and makes certification easier for minority businesses. Some of the proposals must be approved by the state Legislature.