A Senate committee heard a House bill on Monday that would prohibit state funds from being used for any diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or initiatives.
According to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ben Baker (R-Neosho), research shows that DEI initiatives aimed at harmony actually create divisiveness.
“The bottom line is we as a state should not be allowing propaganda to creep into the workplace that pushes preferential and unfair treatment of our state workers,” Baker told reporters.
He added that, while Governor Mike Kehoe recently issued an executive order with similar language, Kehoe has stated that the state also requires legislation.
According to Kehoe’s order, no state funds should be directed specifically to ‘Executive agencies’ associated with DEI initiatives. Baker’s bill contains no such language, allowing for a more expansive interpretation. Baker stated that he hopes to include an amendment to the bill that will protect minority and woman-owned businesses.
McClain Bryant Macklin represented the Health Forward Foundation at the hearing and testified against the bill. Her organization promotes health initiatives in communities that face systemic barriers to care, such as racism or poverty.
Some of the programs it supports include workforce initiatives that bring more nurses, doctors, and staff to hospitals in underserved areas. These programs may be impacted if the bill is passed, but she claims they often save the government money.
“The person receiving the care, either having grown up in a rural area or an urban area or what have you, that person on the receiving end is more likely to adhere to the care plan, and as a result, costs are often reduced,” according to Macklin.
According to Macklin, her organization commissioned a report that found that cutting DEI programs would cost the state 2.6 billion dollars in economic activity by 2030.
Mary Byrne testified in support of the bill, focusing primarily on education. Byrne is a long-time educator and conservative activist. She claimed during the hearing that the Civil Rights Act applies to all races, including white people.
“All means all, including whites,” Byrne explained.
She claims that “colorblind standards” allow people to respect the dignity of everyone seeking an education.
Senator Patty Lewis (D-Kansas City) questioned Byrne’s testimony.
“I wish it was ‘all means all,’ but that’s not what we hear,” stated Lewis. “I think what we hear often times in bills is that all means all, if you’re white.”
The bill was previously passed by the House and is now up for a vote in Senate.
