(Radio Iowa) – Bills to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs in higher education as well as local governments have been debated in the legislature this year, but so far none have become law.
Early Tuesday morning, a House subcommittee approved a Senate bill that would ban D-E-I offices and staff in city and county governments. A lobbyist for the Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers told lawmakers ending D-E-I initiatives doesn’t make discrimination go away. Republican Representative Skyler Wheeler of Hull says D-E-I is extremely unpopular and he encouraged his political opponents to continue to defend D-E-I programs.
Late Tuesday afternoon, a Senate subcommittee will review a House-passed bill to forbid D-E-I programs at private colleges that enroll students who receive Iowa Tuition Grants from the state.
