Director of Office of Equity outlines experience and priorities in confirmation hearing

Megan Matthews testified under oath before the State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee on Feb. 16 during her confirmation hearing for Senate gubernatorial appointment 9066. Matthews, introduced as director of the Washington State Office of Equity, described 18 years of state service, growing the office from 12 to 40 staff and launching data tools such as a statewide homelessness dashboard to inform policy decisions.

Matthews said the Office of Equity exists “to ensure the equal dignity for every Washingtonian” and emphasized operational work: rebuilding agency relationships, convening cross-agency efforts on contracting to help small and micro businesses compete, and expanding data-driven accountability to housing, public safety and supplier diversity. “Equity is about making sure government functions in a way that people can understand, access, and trust,” she said.

Senators asked Matthews about the office’s relationship with long-standing ethnic commissions and a recent community reinvestment plan rollout. Senator Hasegawa pressed whether the Office of Equity was bypassing ethnic commissions and raised concerns that an early definition had excluded parts of the Asian community from access to community-based funding. Matthews responded that the office works collaboratively with the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, the Commission on African American Affairs, the Commission on Hispanic Affairs and others, and said the office includes staff from affected communities and seeks to preserve commission relationships.

On the community reinvestment plan, Matthews acknowledged earlier problems with definitions and said changes had been made to address community concerns. She also noted the Office of Equity coordinates with the Attorney General’s Office and State Auditor to ensure alignment with law, ethics and fiscal responsibility. Matthews concluded by asking for the committee’s support for her confirmation and committing to continued outreach and partnerships across the state.

The committee heard the testimony and posed follow-up questions but did not vote on the appointment; members indicated the nomination will be on the committee’s calendar for a vote next week.