At first glance, nothing seemed exceptional about Thursday鈥檚 agenda for meeting: It was focused on budget recommendations from different state agencies, including the Texas Water Development Board.
But this usually routine part of the state鈥檚 budget cycle caused an uproar after Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) steered the meeting toward the hiring practices at TWDB, an organization chaired by a Black woman. In a tense exchange that brought Chairwoman L'Oreal Stepney to tears, Harrison questioned whether the board鈥檚 practices were going against Gov. Greg Abbott's January that directed state agencies to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
During the back and forth 鈥� which lasted more than 15 minutes 鈥� Stepney repeatedly defended TWDB鈥檚 hiring process to Harrison and fellow committee members, stressing that the agency has complied with the governor鈥檚 orders. But Harrison continued pressing, eventually reading language from the agency鈥檚 strategic plan.
鈥淎s society in general becomes more diverse the TWDB workforce must mirror this diversity,鈥� he read.
Harrison then asked about DEI practices within the board鈥檚 procurement contracts. After extended testimony on the subject, Stepney broke down in tears, then defended her resume and decades of government service.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 mind tough questions. I never get this emotional,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 enjoy being a public servant. It is my life鈥檚 calling.鈥�
The exchange first drew attention after being shared by , which describes itself as 鈥渁 non-partisan newsletter focusing on Texas politics and government.鈥�
While Rep. Harrison seemed to be pushing for compliance with Abbott鈥檚 recent executive order, the governor and other top Republican leaders in Texas were quick to defend Stepney after the video started gaining traction online.
鈥淲ater is one of the most important issues that the State of Texas will address this session,鈥� Abbott said in Thursday evening. 鈥淭here is no one better and no one I have more confidence in to lead and implement our water solutions than TWDB Chairwoman L'Oreal Stepney.鈥�
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also on X a few hours later, saying he鈥檇 鈥渢alked to Texas Water Development Board Chairwoman L'Oreal Stepney tonight and told her she is one of the most respected, experienced, and talented water experts in the nation.鈥�
鈥淪he has served Texas for 33 years,鈥� concluded Patrick鈥檚 post, which was shared by , a Lubbock Republican.
The exchange comes as the Trump administration has put a focus on eliminating "illegal DEI and 'diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility' (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government.鈥�
Critics of the president 鈥� and other Republican leaders 鈥� have pointed out that DEI hiring practices are not simply race-based, they also include, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age and socioeconomic class, physical ability, veteran status, and whether someone has children.
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