When the new Scottsdale City Council took office in January, some of its first moves were to follow suit with the Trump administration, such as dismantling the city’s diversity, equality and inclusion programs by a 5-2 vote.
Newly-elected Council Member Adam Kwasman went so far as to call DEI initiatives “poison” on a social media post because he felt they eliminate merit based hiring and promotions.
Council Member Solange Whitehead, who voted against the move along with Council Member Maryann McAllen, expressed concern from the dais at the time the move could hurt Scottsdale’s tourism industry, which added $3.5 billion to the city’s economy in 2023.
