Connecticut legislators passed a bill on May 6 [1] that removes the word “minority” from the state’s economic development terminology.
The move reflects a strategic shift to protect state programs from federal legal challenges and political pressure. By altering the lexicon, the state aims to maintain support for marginalized groups while avoiding conflict with the Trump administration's hostility toward policies that explicitly reference race or gender [2], [3].
Under the new legislation, programs such as the “Minority Business Revolving Loan” will be renamed to target “historically underserved communities” [1], [2]. This change applies to the state's economic development lexicon, ensuring that the focus remains on providing resources to those who have been historically excluded from economic opportunities without using specific racial descriptors [3].
Sen. Doug McCrory and other members of the state Senate and House supported the measure [1], [2]. The legislation was processed in Hartford during the current session to align state guidance with federal expectations [2].
The transition is designed to shield the state's financial assistance programs from potential federal intervention. By shifting the language to a socio-economic descriptor rather than a racial one, the state intends to continue its efforts to bridge the wealth gap while minimizing the risk of federal push-back [3].
“Connecticut legislators passed a bill that removes the word “minority” from the state’s economic development terminology.”
This legislative pivot suggests a growing trend of 'race-neutral' language in state governance as a defensive mechanism against federal oversight. By redefining target populations as 'underserved' rather than 'minority,' Connecticut is attempting to preserve the intent of equity-based programming while stripping away the specific terminology that currently triggers legal or political challenges from the federal government.
