Macomb Today

State Representative Doug Wozniak, of Shelby Township, voted in favor of House Bill 4288, a legislative move aimed at ensuring that hiring within state government is centered around candidate qualifications rather than personal identity factors.

The bill, which found bipartisan support, mandates state agencies to employ objective criteria such as education, work experience, and job-related skills when hiring for certain at-will positions. The bill imposes potential fines of up to $10,000 for each offense on agencies violating this mandate. These fines would be overseen by the Michigan Attorney General and directed to the state’s general fund.

Wozniak expressed, "State government shouldn’t be hiring people based on how they identify. It should be hiring people based on whether they can do the job well. We’re putting merit and qualifications back at the heart of public service."

There has been a trend in recent years where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have significantly influenced hiring and training practices in various state departments.

Wozniak further stated, "This bill ensures that state government gets back to focusing on performance, skill, and experience, not race, gender identity, or other personal characteristics. Taxpayers deserve a government staffed by the most qualified individuals, not those selected through politically motivated preferences."