Romney clarifies diversity

Seeking to quell harsh criticisms of his affirmative action overhaul, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney promised Thursday to reinstate elements of the state's longstanding diversity policies that he effectively eliminated by executive order earlier this summer.

Romney, in his first public comments on the order he signed two months ago, said he never intended to water down the affirmative action guidelines, some of which were established 20 years ago by then-Gov. Michael Dukakis.

"If there's anything in the regulation which was issued that needs to be amended with old language from the prior regulations, we're happy to do that," Romney told reporters.

Romney's June 17 executive order revoked seven prior affirmative action executive orders, effectively eliminating some longstanding state policies on diversity hiring.

In place of detailed guidelines on affirmative action, Romney established a more general statement of principles. A Romney aide said the governor also wanted to streamline the regulations.

Romney's order nullified earlier governor's orders calling for punitive measures, such as hiring freezes and closer supervision, against state departments that do not use hiring practices consistent with the goals of affirmative action. It eliminated the explicit role of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in state employee hiring disputes. It also replaced the state Office of Affirmative Action with a new Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity.

The Romney order also revoked requirements that departments provide ongoing diversity training programs. His order includes no discussion of how affirmative action must be applied in the awarding of contracts by the state; it revoked a requirement that all private health care facilities licensed by the state comply with nondiscrimination policies in patient admissions. Dozens of other affirmative action regulations were also superseded.

Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner, Romney's most vocal critic, asserted Thursday the executive order dismantles the infrastructure of affirmative action in state government. Turner complained that the new policy has no teeth, because it fails to back up the principles with consequences for those who do not comply with them.

But Ruth N. Bramson, the state's chief human resources officer, insisted that the punitive regulations, and many others, will be reinstated after a special, 15-member Governor's Diversity and Equal Opportunity Advisory Council is convened next month. The Romney order also says Massachusetts will continue to comply with state and federal laws.