Utah breaks free from DEI regime after Texas and Florida paved the way

Utah joined other Republican states this week in breaking free of the DEI regime.

Republican state Rep. Katy Hall's HB 261, among the six bills Gov. Spencer Cox (R) ratified Tuesday, prohibits universities, the public education system, and the state government from engaging in discriminatory DEI practices.

HB 261, titled "Equal Opportunity Initiatives," bars such state organizations from using an individual's immutable characteristics in decisions concerning employment or education. It also prohibits them from requiring people to submit documentation or attend training that "promotes differential treatment" before, during, or after admission or employment.

The school and governmental offices once tasked with discriminating on the basis of sex, sexual preference, race, and other immutable characteristics are similarly forbidden. Accordingly, university departments like chief diversity officer Emma Houston's at the University of Utah will soon be history.

The legislation also requires that the Utah Board of Higher Education, the State Board of Education, the state auditor, and executive directors routinely review and report equal opportunity compliance as a means of safeguarding against a return to the discriminatory scheme increasingly championed in various blue states as well as by corporate advocates like billionaire Mark Cuban.

State Sen. Keith Grover, who sponsored the bill with Hall, said, "This bill will ensure institutions remain neutral on political issues, while students and faculty are able to express their opinions freely."

Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) thanked Hall, Grover, and others who supported the HB 261, stressing on X, "Utah is defunding divisive DEI programs and replacing them with Equal Opportunity Access for ALL children, regardless of Race, Creed, or Color. MLK's dream lives on."

Former Utah Republican Party Chair James Evans, the state's first black GOP state senator, said HB 261 "expands the opportunity for all students at risk of graduating from college or university for them to receive additional assistance based on their individualized needs, not based on their group identity but on what their specific needs are," reported Deseret News.

Heritage Action's Utah state director, Nathan Duell, praised both the Utah Legislature and Cox for getting the bill across the finish line, stating, "Today is a great day for Utahns. HB 261 is a victory for academic freedom, opportunity, and debate—and shows that DEI’s discriminatory policies have no place in the Beehive State."

Gov. Cox, who has recently begun shifting back to the right amidst his gubernatorial re-election push, said in a statement, "We've been concerned about some DEI programs and policies, particularly with hiring practices, and this bill offers a balanced solution."

"We firmly believe that Utah is stronger because of our diversity and we remain committed to keeping our state a place where everyone can thrive," continued the governor. "Over the past three years, our administration has worked very intentionally with many community stakeholders to expand opportunities for all Utahns and we will continue to do so."

Cox attempted to distinguish Utah's offensive against DEI from "other states that simply eliminated DEI funding with no alternative path for students who may be struggling."

While Cox claimed Utah did not follow "the lead" of other states, Utah nevertheless traveled a path blazed by Florida and Texas.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order in February 2023 ordering all public institutions in the Lone Star State to end their DEI practices.

In May, Abbott ratified SB 17, thereby shutting down university DEI offices and programs in the state.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill in May 2023 defunding discriminatory DEI programs at Florida state universities and colleges.

"If you look at the way this has actually been implemented across the country, DEI is better viewed as standing for discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination," said DeSantis. "And that has no place in our public institutions."

DeSantis' efforts against DEI continue to bear fruit. Just last week, Florida's Board of Governors voted to ban state spending on DEI programs across all public universities.

Other red states, such as North Carolina, Tennessee, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin also beat the Beehive State to the punch in getting laws or executive orders on the books banning DEI funding or hiring requirements.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, 52 anti-DEI laws have been introduced since 2023. Eight appear to have so far become law.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press indicated there is a leftist counter-offensive afoot. Democrats have filed at least 20 bills championing DEI in nine states, including Florida.

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