The Kentucky capitol building in Frankfort.
By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
The Republican-backed bill that would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public universities and colleges is well on its way to becoming law after passing the Kentucky Senate.
As previously reported, House Bill 4, which was sponsored by Northern Kentucky Republican Jennifer Decker, “prohibit[s] a public postsecondary education institution from providing [, or influencing,] differential treatment or benefits on the basis of an individual’s religion, race, sex, color, or national origin.”
The bill passed the House on March 5 by a vote of 81 to 18 with Barren County Representative Steve Riley voting in favor of the prohibition, commenting it “basically a measure to put everyone on equal footing.”
After several floor amendments were filed, which were either defeated or withdrawn, and after an hour debate, the Senate passed House Bill 4 by a 32 to 6 vote.
The Kentucky Lantern reports that during the hour-long debate “Democrats tried to show their Republican counterparts how [the prohibition…] could harm college students who are members of minority groups, including people of color and LGBTQ+ persons” with Louisville Senate, and first Black and LGBTQ+ women elected to the state senate, Keturah Herron (D) saying “it’s very hard and difficult for me to not come to the conclusion that this bill is a direct attack on Black, brown, LGBTQ and anyone who is non-white.”
“I know that you said that you are not responsible for the sins of the past, and you’re not,” Herron said to Republican Sen. Steve West, who carried the bill in the Senate. “You’re not responsible for the things that have happened to my mother or my life experiences either. However, you are responsible, and we are responsible — this whole body is responsible — for what we do today moving forward.”
Senator Donald Douglas said it was not an “anti-DEI bill” but an “anti-forced diversity, equity and inclusion bill.”
“Most people want a hand up. But I would argue that most people don’t want a handout,” Douglas said. “[Children should be taught] self-respect, self-motivation, self-accomplishment.”
Barren County Senator David Givens (R) voted “yea” on the bill.
With its passage in the Senate, the bill heads to Governor Andy Beshear’s desk, who has often defended diversity, equity and inclusion policies. However, even if he vetoes the bill, it is likely to become law via a veto override from the Republican supermajority. A veto override requires “a majority [of chamber members] plus one” from both the Kentucky House of Representatives and from the Kentucky Senate.
Both Western Kentucky University and Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College are public institutions.
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