Current:Home > InvestOhio House committee OKs contentious higher ed. bill, despite House leader claiming little support-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Ohio House committee OKs contentious higher ed. bill, despite House leader claiming little support
lotradecoin trading rewards program View Date:2024-12-25 17:16:51
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio House committee cleared a contentious higher education bill Wednesday that would eliminate nearly all diversity and inclusion training requirements in Ohio’s public colleges and universities and bar them from taking stances on “controversial topics,” despite House leadership claiming it doesn’t have the votes.
Republican House Speaker Jason Stephens told reporters last week that the measure didn’t have enough support in the GOP-dominated House and that he had no intentions of pushing it to a floor vote.
Even so, the House Higher Education Committee voted out the legislation, known to be a high priority for Senate President Matt Huffman, who is poised to challenge Stephens for the speaker position once his term in the Senate ends in 2025. The measure previously passed in the Senate with a majority Republican vote, although three GOP members broke away from their party to join Democrats in voting against it.
A spokesperson for Stephens did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.
Committee Chair Rep. Tom Young, a Dayton-area Republican, told reporters Wednesday that the committee vote is the first step in seeing whether or not Stephens’ words hold weight.
“I think the votes are there,” he said, but added that they’ll have to wait and see.
Supporters of the measure have called it necessary to rid higher education of bias, promote “intellectual diversity” and help protect conservative speech on campuses. It comes alongside other Republican-led states targeting diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education this year.
But opponents, including university students and faculty, as well as the 61,000-student Ohio State University, have spoken out against the bill. Many have argued the legislation encourages censorship and allows the Legislature to micromanage higher education — particularly when it comes to defining subjective terms like “bias,” “intellectual diversity” and “controversial matters.”
Ranking Democratic committee member Rep. Joseph Miller slammed the measure after Wednesday’s vote, calling the legislation anti-education and anti-union.
“It attacks the very institution that is formed in Ohio to provide Ohioans with an opportunity to better their lives by educating themselves for the next stage of life as an adult,” Miller said.
___
Samantha Hendrickson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
veryGood! (6681)
Related
- Don't be fooled by the name and packaging: Fruit snacks are rarely good for you. Here's why.
- Second jailer to plead guilty in Alabama inmate’s hypothermia death
- Over 165,000 pounds of Perdue chicken nuggets and tenders recalled after metal wire found
- Charli XCX Is Very Brat, Very Demure in Kim Kardashian’s Latest SKIMS Launch— Shop Styles Starting at $18
- The president of Columbia University has resigned, effective immediately
- Jamie-Lynn Sigler’s 10-Year-Old Son Beau Hospitalized for 33 Days Amid “Nightmare” Illness
- Taylor Swift brings back 2 cut songs, sings another for 10th time in acoustic section
- Pioneering daytime TV host Phil Donahue dies at 88
- Charlie Sheen’s Daughter Sami Sheen Undergoes Plastic Surgery for Droopy Nose
- PHOTO COLLECTION: Election 2024 DNC Day 1
Ranking
- Jim Harbaugh wants to hire Colin Kaepernick to Chargers' coaching staff. Will the QB bite?
- Phil Donahue, Talk Show Legend and Husband of Marlo Thomas, Dead at 88
- Michael Oher, Subject of The Blind Side, Speaks Out on Lawsuit Against Tuohy Family
- Want to be in 'Happy Gilmore 2' with Adam Sandler? Try out as an extra
- Gena Rowlands, acting powerhouse and star of movies by her director-husband, John Cassavetes, dies
- Dance Moms Alum Kalani Hilliker Engaged to Nathan Goldman
- Powell may use Jackson Hole speech to hint at how fast and how far the Fed could cut rates
- A West Texas ranch and resort will limit water to residents amid fears its wells will run dry
Recommendation
-
Charlie Sheen’s Daughter Sami Sheen Undergoes Plastic Surgery for Droopy Nose
-
Phil Donahue, who ruled daytime talk for years until Oprah overtook him, left a lasting imprint
-
NASCAR Cup race at Michigan halted by rain after Stage 1, will resume Monday
-
Former NFL player accused of urinating on passenger during Boston to Dublin flight
-
Ranking MLB jersey advertisements: Whose patch is least offensive?
-
Buffalo Wild Wings unveils 'ultimate bacon menu' ahead of football season: See what's on it
-
Doja Cat and Stranger Things' Joseph Quinn Pack on the PDA After Noah Schnapp DM Drama
-
Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas' Daughter Stella Banderas Engaged to Alex Gruszynski