Sen. Bryan King Calls for Termination of Contracts with ‘Woke’ Companies in Arkansas Prison Project
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Republican State Senator Bryan King is intensifying his opposition to a proposed prison project in Arkansas, urging Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to sever contracts with companies he deems "woke." In a press release dated June 6, King claimed that Governor Sanders and the legislature should adhere to laws passed in the last two legislative sessions targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
King pointed to Acts 938 and 747, which eliminate racial and gender quotas for board memberships and prohibit local governments from implementing DEI initiatives. He also referenced Act 411, enacted in 2023, barring the state from investing in firms adopting ESG policies. According to King, companies involved in the prison construction, JE Dunn Construction and Vanir Construction Management, openly endorse DEI principles.
At a June 18 press conference, King criticized the disparity between the Arkansas Republican leadership’s vocal opposition to "woke" ideologies and their continued financial support for firms like Vanir and JE Dunn, which promote diversity in their corporate policies. He highlighted JE Dunn’s CEO commitment to nurturing diverse workplaces and a previously published statement from Vanir emphasizing the importance of varied identities in fostering a successful company culture.
King expressed concerns over the project’s exorbitant estimated costs, which could exceed $1 billion, and asserted that essential issues, such as addressing mental health concerns among inmates, remain unaddressed by the current prison system.
Despite the Arkansas Board of Corrections approving a general contractor for the project, discussions regarding timelines and finalization are expected in forthcoming meetings. King reiterated the necessity for transparency and accountability concerning taxpayer dollars utilized in the endeavor.
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