The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is facing accusations of violating the state’s ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion after the recent unraveling of a program that follows an initiative to prioritize minority-owned businesses.
The controversial DEI program, which TxDOT uses to allocate contracts for road and bridge projects, has drawn the ire of state lawmakers, according to a recent report from KRLD. Representative Brian Harrison has publicly criticized the agency, claiming the program directly conflicts with a new state law prohibiting race-based decision-making in state contracting.
Additionally, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order requiring all Texas state agencies to remove any DEI policies and ensure that individuals are treated equally, regardless of race. “DEI agendas divide us rather than unite us and have no place in the state of Texas,” Abbott said in the January 31, 2025 order. “These radical policies deviate from constitutional principles and deny diverse thought. Every Texan is equal under the law…”
The TxDOT program under question, which also focuses on providing opportunities for veteran-owned businesses, has allegedly awarded millions of dollars in contracts based on applicants’ race. According to Harrison, “They’re coming up with 30 million race-based contract determinations, and I can’t say that more forcefully.”
TxDOT’s civil rights division, which administers the program, employs around 50 full-time staff and operates with a budget close to $10 million, per KRLD. Some critics, including Harrison, have raised concerns about the need for a civil rights division within an agency primarily responsible for building infrastructure projects.
However, this isn’t the first time TxDOT has come under fire for DEI initiatives.
In 2023, a whistleblower who wished to remain anonymous came forward after reading previous reports on TxDOT’s activities and provided The Texas Scorecard with screenshots showing that TxDOT was continuing to promote DEI practices among its employees.
An earlier tip had prompted Texas Scorecard to investigate the agency’s DEI policies, uncovering efforts such as promoting “preferred” pronouns in email signatures, taxpayer-funded DEI training, and segregated employee resource groups. The whistleblower further claimed that, after the publication of these findings, TxDOT briefly slowed its DEI push within the department.
As of the time of publication, TxDOT representatives have not responded to The Dallas Express for comment.