Director of Washington Office of Equity urges data‑driven accountability as senators probe community outreach

Megan Matthews, the nominee to serve as director of the Washington State Office of Equity, told the Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee on Feb. 16 that her office exists "for a clear and simple purpose": ensuring "the equal dignity for every Washingtonian." She described three years of work building capacity — growing the office from 12 to 40 permanent staff and launching a statewide homelessness dashboard intended to drive "data‑driven accountability."

Matthews was sworn under Senate rule 69 before delivering more than 15 minutes of testimony about her path from Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood, her years in state service, and her priorities if confirmed. "Equity, as we practice it, is not about division. It is about effectiveness," she said, adding that the office partners with other agencies, the Attorney General's Office and the State Auditor "to ensure our work aligns fully with state law, ethics, and fiscal responsibility."

Senators pressed Matthews on how the Office of Equity works with the state's ethnic commissions, which were established decades ago to provide community voice to state government. Senator Hasegawa said he was "protective" of the ethnic commissions and raised concerns that the Office of Equity had at times "bypassed those commissions and gone directly to the communities," risking dilution of the commissions' role. Hasegawa said a community reinvestment plan initially excluded parts of the Asian community from eligibility; he described that omission as a "huge concern" that later was corrected. Matthews responded that the office is "working very closely with the commission on Asian Pacific American affairs" and the other ethnic commissions and emphasized collaborative relationships and the office's internal diversity.

Other senators thanked Matthews for outreach across the state and for meetings with legislators from both parties. Matthews asked for the committee's support if confirmed; committee members said votes on her confirmation will be taken next week. There were no committee votes on her nomination at this session.