INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana’s Black Legislative Caucus on Tuesday condemned Gov. Mike Braun’s anti-diversity moves as benefiting only those who “feel attacked.”
Last week, Braun signed an executive order replacing “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) throughout state government policies and programming with “merit, excellence, and innovation” (MEI). It also closed the Office of the Chief Equity, Inclusion, and Opportunity Officer created by his predecessor.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion is not about giving any group a handout,” said caucus leader Rep. Earl Harris Jr. “It’s about giving everyone access by expanding opportunities for even more talented and qualified individuals, regardless of their identity.”
“Who does this benefit, other than folks who baselessly feel attacked by the mere mention of diversity in our workforce?” asked Harris, D-East Chicago. He spoke before reporters at a Statehouse news conference.
He said the executive order was “distracting” from caucus priorities like maternal health coverage, housing affordability, and water safety education.
The 16-member caucus of Black legislators also denounced targeted cuts proposed last week.
Braun’s two-year budget would eliminate funding for the Indiana Commission for Women and the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission. It would slash Indiana Civil Rights Commission funding by more than 15%, about $750,000, over the biennium.
Read the rest of the Leslie Bonilla Muñiz story for the Indiana Capital Chronicle, here.
