On Thursday, the Kentucky General Assembly voted to override Governor Andy Beshear’s veto of House Bill 4 (HB 4), officially enacting it into law. The bill prohibits public universities and colleges from funding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and bans the establishment of any offices or training related to those programs.
Beshear vetoed the bill earlier in the week, defending DEI and urging the commonwealth to “embrace diversity” rather than ban it. However, HB 4’s sponsor, Rep. Jennifer Decker, along with other Republican lawmakers, argued that DEI initiatives are wasteful and an “embarrassing failure.”
Following the bill’s passage, University of Louisville President Dr. Gerry Bradley sent an institution-wide email acknowledging concerns from students and faculty. He reiterated the university’s commitment to inclusivity and student success, despite the new legal restrictions…