(Texas Scorecard) – As legislators continue to crack down on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across Texas, several state lawmakers have filed budget amendments aimed at cutting funding for state universities that support DEI.
One amendment by State Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) would defund the presidents’ and chancellors’ offices of multiple universities in which leadership has allowed degree programs to become inundated with both LGBTQ and DEI curricula.
The list includes universities within both the Texas A&M and University of Texas systems.
State Rep. Shelly Luther (R-Sherman) also filed an amendment aimed at striking appropriations and provisions regarding funding to Texas A&M because “the university is offering a certificate or degree program, including a major or minor, or a course in diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Luther’s amendment also targets the university’s offering of a certificate or degree program pushing radical gender ideologies instead of biological realities.
The funding would instead go toward property tax relief.
“I’ve filed amendments to the Texas House budget to defund universities that are teaching DEI, reduced funding for movie production, and deleted renovation improvements to the Capitol, all in favor of funding border operations and property tax relief,” Luther posted Monday on X.
A third amendment, by State Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington), aims to apply the same measures to the University of Houston as Luther’s amendment does to Texas A&M.
That funding would also be redirected toward property tax relief.
The vote on the budget and various amendments filed will take place on Thursday, April 10.