DeSantis outlaws woke DEI programs in higher ed.

Florida Governor Signs Bills Restricting DEI Initiatives

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed three bills into law that placed further restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This move comes as Florida was recently ranked as the top state in the country for education.

The Three Bills

• Senate Bill (SB) 266 prohibits institutions from spending federal or state dollars on discriminatory DEI initiatives.
• House Bill (HB) 931 prohibits Florida’s public institutions from requiring students, faculty, or staff to take political loyalty tests.
• SB 240 expands workforce education initiatives and increases access to career and technical education (CTE) programs.

According to the governor’s office, SB 266 garnered the most news attention because it directly goes after woke ideologies in higher education by cutting off funding for “initiatives that promote dangerous political and social activism, such as DEI initiatives.”

Florida’s Commitment to Diversity of Thought

“Florida has ranked number one in higher education for seven years in a row, and by signing this legislation we are ensuring that Florida’s institutions encourage diversity of thought, civil discourse, and the pursuit of truth for generations to come,” DeSantis said in a statement. “Florida is taking a stand for empowering students, parents, and educators to focus on creating opportunities for our younger generations. I am happy to have worked with the legislature to get this important legislation signed, sealed, and delivered.”

HB 931 prohibits schools from requiring “political statements and ideological attestations by faculty and students in hiring, promoting, and admissions.”

Today, Florida abolished the DEI bureaucracy and restored colorblind equality in all of its public universities. This historic victory puts the pursuit of truth—not left-wing ideology—back to the center of academic life.

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