First Tuesday Asheville

se Bill 171  Filed Friday, February 21, 2025

 Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. 

Intro. by  B. Jones; N. Jackson; Lowery; Eddins (Primary). 

HB 171 would stop government-imposed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) mandates in North Carolina. This important legislation:

• Prohibits state and local agencies from promoting, funding, or requiring DEI initiatives. 
• Ends the use of DEI in hiring and employment practices—ensuring all hiring is merit-based and fair. 
• Eliminates government-funded DEI staff positions and offices. 
• Bans required or incentivized DEI training for government employees. 
• Creates penalties for violations and authorizes the State Auditor to enforce compliance.
   

HB 171 restores fairness, merit, and equal opportunity for all North Carolinians by keeping identity politics out of our government.

Bill Status (as of September 16, 2023)

Passed NC Senate: June 25, 2025
(Buncombe County Sen. Julie Mayfield voted NO;  while Sen. Warren Daniel voted YES.)

Passed NC House: June 26, 2025  (Buncombe County Reps. Prather, Ager, and Turner voted NO) 

Sent to Governor: July 1, 2025
Vetoed by Governor Stein: July 3, 2025
 

Governor Stein claimed the bill had “vague definitions” and argued that eliminating DEI would prevent state government from attracting a quality workforce. Rather than working with lawmakers to address these concerns, he vetoed a bill passed by the elected representatives of North Carolina’s citizens.

 Veto Override Possible:
The General Assembly can override the governor’s veto with a three-fifths vote in both chambers. We do not yet know when (or if) leadership will attempt an override, but it is possible during the current legislative session. 

Thank the Sponsors of HB 171 for staying strong.  Don’t Let the Left Dominate the Conversation

Well-organized left-wing activists—especially in places like Buncombe County—have already flooded lawmakers in Raleigh with opposition to HB 171. Too often, conservative voices are missing from these debates, and legislators only hear from one side.

That’s why it’s so important for supporters of fairness, merit, and true equality to speak up now. If you believe in ending DEI mandates and keeping government focused on serving all North Carolinians equally, your voice is needed!

Please take a moment to email the primary sponsors of HB 171 and thank them for their leadership and courage.

Contact the Primary Sponsors of HB 171:

• Rep. Brenden H. Jones – Brenden.Jones@ncleg.gov
   
• Rep. Neal Jackson – Neal.Jackson@ncleg.gov
   
• Rep. Jarrod Lowery – Jarrod.Lowery@ncleg.gov
   
• Rep. Blair Eddins – Blair.Eddins@ncleg.gov
   

Let them know you appreciate their commitment to restoring merit, fairness, and equal opportunity in North Carolina government!

Your voice can make the difference—don’t let the organized opposition be the only one they hear.

Sample eMail message below.  Feel free to copy this one or write your own:

Subject:     Thank You for Your Leadership on HB 171   

Dear Representatives Jones, Jackson, Lowery, and Eddins, 

 I want to personally thank you for your leadership and courage in sponsoring HB 171—the bill to end taxpayer-funded DEI mandates in North Carolina state and local government.

In today’s political climate, it takes real conviction to stand up for merit-based government, fiscal responsibility, and equal treatment under the law. Your efforts to return our state’s focus to fairness and public service—not divisive identity politics—are deeply appreciated by many citizens who feel their voices are too often overlooked.

I know that organized opposition has been loud and well-funded. But please know that many of us across the state stand with you. We believe government jobs and contracts should be awarded based on qualifications and performance—not ideology or group identity.

Your commitment to protecting both the principle of equality and the integrity of public institutions is exactly the kind of leadership we need more of in Raleigh.

Thank you again for staying strong and for representing those of us who value merit, transparency, and responsible governance.

Warm regards,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Address or City, NC]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number] (optional)

Contact Your Representatives Now

Buncombe County legislators (Reps. Prather, Ager, Turner, and Sen. Mayfield) often present themselves as champions of “diversity,” yet consistently ignore the political and ideological diversity within their own districts. Many of their constituents—including those in rural precincts, small businesses, and faith communities—hold conservative values, and those voices deserve representation too.

Representative Eric Ager (District 114)

📧 Eric.Ager@ncleg.gov ​

Representative Lindsey Prather (District 115)​ 

📧 Lindsey.Prather@ncleg.gov 

Representative Brian Turner (District 116)​

📧 Brian.Turner@ncleg.gov 

Here’s a sample email template constituents can use to respectfully make that point:

Subject:   Please Represent All of Us—Including Conservative Voices  

Dear [Representative/Senator] [Last Name], 

 I’m writing as one of your constituents to express my disappointment with your vote against House Bill 171.

You often speak publicly about the importance of diversity in state government. But what about diversity of thought? What about those of us in Buncombe County who believe government jobs should be awarded based on merit—not ideology or identity?

When you vote lockstep with the most progressive voices in Raleigh, it sends a message that you are only listening to part of your district. I urge you to consider that there are many of us—your constituents—who support fairness, fiscal responsibility, and equal treatment without special preferences.

We may not speak up as often as some activist groups, but we are paying attention. And we ask you to occasionally open your mind to viewpoints outside the activist left, and consider that true diversity includes representing all citizens—conservative ones included.

I hope you will reflect on this and strive to represent the full range of people you were elected to serve.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address (optional)]
[Your Email/Phone (optional)]

Contact Sen. Daniel Now

📧 Warren.Daniel@ncleg.gov 

Here’s a template email that constituents—especially those in western Buncombe County, as well as neighboring areas—can send to Senator Warren Daniel to thank him for supporting HB 171:

Subject: Thank You for Supporting HB 171 and Standing for Merit-Based Government

Dear Senator Daniel,

I want to sincerely thank you for your vote in support of House Bill 171, the legislation to end taxpayer-funded DEI mandates in North Carolina state and local government.

Your support for this bill reflects a clear understanding of what many North Carolinians are asking for: a return to merit-based hiring, fiscal responsibility, and equal treatment under the law. Your vote was a stand for fairness, common sense, and good governance.

While others talk about diversity and inclusion, they often ignore the importance of diversity of thought—and the views of conservative constituents like me. I'm grateful that you were willing to represent voices that too often go unheard in Raleigh.

The governor's veto of this bill was disappointing, but I’m encouraged to know that leaders like you are willing to stand firm and lead with principle. If there is an opportunity to override the veto, I hope we can count on your continued support.

Thank you again for doing the right thing (again!).

Respectfully,
[Your Name]
[Your Address (optional)]
[Your Email/Phone (optional)]

Public Engagement: Consider writing letters to local newspapers or participating in community forums to raise awareness about the bill's importance.​
 

Sample Letter to Editor below.  Feel free to copy this one or write your own:

Title:    Political Diversity Deserves a Seat at the Table, Too  

To the Editor,

House Bill 171, which would have ended DEI mandates in North Carolina government, passed both chambers of the General Assembly in June. Unfortunately, Buncombe County’s three Democrat House members—Reps. Prather, Ager, and Turner—and Sen. Julie Mayfield all voted NO.

The bill was ultimately vetoed by Governor Josh Stein, who claimed that eliminating DEI structures would hinder the government’s ability to hire the “best” people. What he—and many of our local legislators—fail to acknowledge is that true diversity includes diversity of thought, not just identity labels.

HB 171 sought to return state government to a focus on merit-based hiring, equal treatment under the law, and fiscal responsibility. Many of us believe that's not just good governance—it's common sense.

While progressive activists in Buncombe County often make their voices heard, there are many conservative and independent residents here who also care deeply about how our tax dollars are spent. We are simply asking for representation—not favoritism.

If our elected officials truly believe in inclusion, they might start by acknowledging and listening to the many constituents whose views they so often dismiss.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Town or ZIP Code]
[Optional: Email Address or Phone Number]