Council opens public hearing on ‘Fairness and Equal Treatment’ ordinance to strip affirmative‑action language from tax‑abatement policy

St. Joseph County Council members heard more than two hours of public testimony on a proposal to remove affirmative‑action language from the county tax‑abatement policy, an item introduced as the "Fairness and Equal Treatment Ordinance" by Councilwoman Amy Drake and Councilman Andy Rutten.

The petitioners said the ordinance would remove references to affirmative action and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) from the county's abatement policy and related application requirements. Drake and Rutten framed the proposal as an effort to require equal treatment and move away from government preferences tied to identity. Rutten told the council the measure responds to recent federal and state action and argued that the county should set a local example.

At the same time, dozens of residents, local advocates and business groups addressed the council in a lengthy public hearing. Many speakers urged the council to reject the proposal, saying affirmative‑action language helps correct longstanding barriers to employment and opportunity for historically marginalized groups. Trina Robinson, president of the local NAACP branch, and other community leaders said removing the language would disproportionately harm…