A recent report alleges that liberal policies, including DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), ESG investing, and gender ideology, are being quietly adopted in conservative states across the U.S. due to the widespread influence of national bureaucratic organizations.
The State Leadership Initiative (SLI) argues that unelected national associations are embedding progressive ideologies into state administrations across the country, regardless of who voters elect. SLI’s “Shadow Government” report contends that dozens of well-funded national associations are setting policy frameworks, distributing federal funds, and providing guidance on “best practices” that often align with left-wing values.
Groups named in the report include the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST), the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD), and the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). According to SLI, all of these associations promote DEI as a core part of their agenda.
SLI recommends that conservative governors and legislators conduct a full audit of every national association that state agencies participate in and require legislative approval before renewing any membership. They also call for an end to the automatic adoption of national associations’ “model policies” and “best practices,” advocating instead for executive orders preventing agencies from implementing these guidelines without state-level review and oversight.
According to Fox News.
