- Harris County Commissioners Court is scheduled to consider a proposal to spend $17,500 to join the “Government Alliance on Race and Equity”
- The Government Alliance on Race and Equity is a project of the left-wing non-profit Race Forward, which has received funding from one of George Soros’ foundations
- Don Huffines, the Republican nominee for Texas Comptroller, has criticized the proposed expenditure
Harris County Commissioners Court is scheduled to consider an item on Thursday that would spend $17,500 in taxpayer dollars on a left-wing non-profit organization that has been critical of the Trump administration’s policies.
Contained under an agenda item labeled as a “Request that the court consider payments for 2026 annual membership dues for various organizations in the amount of $17,800.00,” the item includes a $17,500 expenditure payable to Washington, DC-based non-profit Race Forward for “Core Membership dues” with the “Government Alliance on Race and Equity.”
“The 2024 election has created an urgent need for progressive movements to “Do Something.” We invite you to join with us and take action(s) to advance the multiracial democracy that represents and serves all of us,” reads Race Forward’s website.
One of Race Forward’s projects is the “Government Alliance on Race and Equity,” which is described as “a dynamic peer-to-peer learning and practice network dedicated to advancing racial equity in government, so that we all thrive where we live, learn, work and play.”
Race Forward has received millions of dollars in funding from several prominent liberal foundations, including the Gates Foundation and George Soros’ Foundation to Promote Open Society.
One of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity’s publications, entitled “Towards Racial Equity and Social Justice for All: How State Agencies Can Lead the Way in 2025 and Beyond”, encourages state leaders to “push back against federal authoritarianism.”
The publication states, “The first 100 days of the second Trump administration have been designed to disorient and discourage us, but we are clear and resolved in our fight for justice. Throughout history, when we expanded our rights and freedoms, we faced backlash from those unwilling to share power. To overcome centuries of oppression, discrimination, and exclusion, people struggling before us have stood firm, held their ground, and pushed forward. As advocates for racial justice, civil rights, and human rights for everyone, this is the moment to double down on what matters most, united by an unwavering commitment to freedom, justice, and equity.”
Among the recommendations included in the publication are for state officials to “include equity goals in investment policy” and “invest state funds in assets that advance equity.”
Although Harris County officials are proposing to spend tax dollars to join an organization that promotes “racial equity and social justice”, Texas state officials have taken actions to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in state government. Earlier this year, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order to eliminate all forms of DEI in state government.
Don Huffines, the Republican nominee for Texas Comptroller who has made the elimination of “woke ideology” and DEI programs in government one of the centerpieces of his campaign, condemned Harris County’s proposed membership in Race Forward’s Government Alliance on Race and Equity.
In a statement to The Texas Voice, Huffines said, “Harris County taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to fund woke ideology. Spending $17,500 to join a Soros-funded national DEI organization that promotes political agendas is a misuse of taxpayer dollars. Local government should focus on public safety, infrastructure, and lowering taxes, not this woke nonsense. As Comptroller, I’ll have eyes and ears on nearly all procurement in Texas, and I will use every tool available to ensure DEI plays no role in state contracting.”
