The Texas House gave final approval to a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion offices in public colleges and universities. Texas would be the second state in the nation with such a ban if it becomes law, following Florida.
, that requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct an annual study into the impact of banning DEI offices, allows universities to make “reasonable efforts” to re-assign employees in DEI offices to new positions with similar pay, and shifts the day the bill goes into effect back by three months to Jan. 1.
Before Monday's vote, Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, proposed an amendment that would reverse the changes made last week, arguing that those who voted for the compromises on Friday night are"complicit" in allowing DEI programs to continue in some form. The amendment failed. House Democrats lamented that the legislation rolls back progress and jeopardizes investments the state has made in its universities. Those who support such offices argue that removing them or weakening their influence will make schools less welcoming places to work and study, turn back efforts to correct past discrimination against students who were not always welcome on campus
“There is virtually no evidence that DEI programs have closed the gap in terms of minority student outcomes, minority recruitment and faculty hiring,” Kuempel told members when he laid out his version of the Senate bill on the House floor Friday. Earlier in the debate, Kuempel also successfully introduced an amendment that clarifies the legislation bans DEI offices that “promote differential treatment,” and ensures all hiring initiatives are “color-blind and sex neutral.”Matt SchaeferThe legislation now says any DEI policies, training or programs must be approved by university lawyers or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and requires the state to audit the universities once every four years.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PEN America, Penguin Random House sue over banned books in Florida school districtTALLHASSEE, Fla. — (TALLHASSEE, Fla.) -- PEN America, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting free expression, and Penguin Random House, one of the country's largest book publishers, filed a lawsuit Wednesday targeting a Florida school district for removing certain books from the shelves of public school libraries.
Read more »
How a Florida Waffle House helped propel Bob Ross to PBS fameWednesday marks the 29th anniversary of the final episode of “The Joy of Painting,” the PBS show that turned Ross into an unlikely celebrity.
Read more »
Texas AG Ken Paxton launches investigation into Texas Children's Hospital over trans careTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday announced an investigation into Texas Children’s Hospital to find out whether they are “unlawfully” providing gender transition care, according to a news release.
Read more »
Ron DeSantis is learning that not every state wants to be FloridaAs Gov. DeSantis promotes his 'Make America Florida' agenda, other state governors have politely pushed back — believing their states have done just as much to advance a conservative agenda.
Read more »
Texas House’s weekend off means key Senate bills die after missing a legislative deadlinePriority bills that died include a 10-year minimum sentencing for gun-related crimes, a ban on “critical race theory” at public universities and LGBTQ-related legislation. While the bills may be dead, lawmakers have a limited time to attach their ideas to legislation that are still alive.
Read more »
Texas House’s weekend off means key Senate bills die after missing a legislative deadlinePriority bills that died include a 10-year minimum sentencing for gun-related crimes, a ban on “critical race theory” at public universities and LGBTQ-related legislation. While the bills may be dead, lawmakers have a limited time to attach their ideas to legislation that are still alive.
Read more »