FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Lawmakers in Kentucky are prepared to get back to work on a bill that addresses inclusion, equity, and diversity policies at public universities. However, the new majority floor leader of the state Senate stated Tuesday that since they have had months to try to resolve their disagreements, the outcome might be different next year.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Republican state senator Max Wise stated that it’s a topic that seemed to keep coming up in policy debates in many states.
This year, conservative efforts to restrict DEI programs gained traction in college governing boards and state legislatures. Bills to limit DEI efforts were introduced by GOP lawmakers in about two dozen states. Democrats opposed them by supporting DEI legislation in around 20 states.
Due to a deadlock between the House and Senate, DEI legislation in Kentucky died this year. Republicans, who have supermajorities in both houses, saw it as a rare setback on a contentious and important topic.
Although he hasn’t seen any draft legislation on the subject, Wise stated on Tuesday that he anticipates GOP lawmakers would revisit a DEI measure during Kentucky’s 30-day legislative session, which takes place in January, next year. Wise was recently elected majority floor leader by his fellow Republicans in the Senate.
Many politicians left the Capitol upset that a DEI proposal had failed when this year’s session ended in mid-April, according to Wise. But by next year, lawmakers will have the advantage of more months to research and debate the matter, he said.
According to Wise, “I think that’s where things usually get worked out in the interim when we have legislation from one session that doesn’t pass and it goes into the next year.” If we had another DEI bill, I would be shocked if it failed the second time.
When the House and Senate passed separate versions of DEI bills this year, the subject sparked heated discussions in Kentucky. Proposed limits on universities, according to opponents, might undo the progress made in minority enrollment and hinder conversations about historical prejudice on campus.
In addition to forbidding schools from giving people preferential treatment based on their political beliefs, the Senate-passed version would have outlawed discriminatory ideas in non-classroom contexts like orientations and training sessions. Additionally, it would have been illegal to demand that applicants for jobs, promotions, or admission express particular philosophies or opinions.
By defunding DEI offices and officer positions, the House replaced the Senate’s language with one that took a more aggressive stand. When the legislative session came to a conclusion, both versions perished.
Attempts to restrict DEI activities on college campuses have been condemned by Democratic Governor Andy Beshear. Diversity will always make us stronger, Beshear declared during a civil rights rally in March. It is never a burden and is always an asset.
If a DEI bill that Beshear rejects makes it to his desk, Republican lawmakers could easily override his veto thanks to their supermajorities.
Some schools have already been impacted by this year’s debate and the possibility of DEI legislation emerging in 2025. In response to inquiries from state legislators, the University of Kentucky announced in August that it was closing its office that promoted diversity and inclusion initiatives. The president of the university emphasized that the institution’s basic principles were upheld in order to safeguard academic freedom and foster a feeling of community for all students, irrespective of their experiences or viewpoints.
As the majority floor leader, Wise, a seasoned committee chairman, will be at the core of any Senate action pertaining to DEI or other legislation. He takes over the leadership role from Republican Sen. Damon Thayerin. This year, Thayer, who contributed to the creation of numerous conservative policies, decided not to seek reelection. Senate mainstays President Pro Tem David Givens and Senate President Robert Stivers are the chamber’s principal leaders.
The 49-year-old Wise attracted statewide notoriety as Kelly Craft’s running mate during her failed gubernatorial bid last year. Additionally, Wise is close to U.S. Representative James Comer, who is considered a possible 2027 gubernatorial candidate.
Wise responded, “I haven’t looked at anything in terms of next opportunities,” when asked if his new position as Senate leader may serve as a launching pad for a future bid for higher office. Right now, I’m concentrating on taking on this leadership job.
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