Gov. Braun releases report detailing progress on DEI removal initiatives

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has released a report related to his administration’s efforts to remove DEI “political ideology” from the state government.

The report, which Braun released to the public on Wednesday, was compiled after Braun signed an executive order in January signaling his plans to replace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) with merit, excellence and innovation (MEI).

“Indiana has replaced the divisive, politically-charged DEI ideology with Merit, Excellence, and Innovation: a level playing field where every single Hoosier has the chance to get ahead with hard work,” Braun said.

The order stipulated that all executive branch state agencies would be barred from utilizing state funds, property or resources to “support diversity, equity, and inclusion positions, departments, activities, procedures or programs if they grant preferential treatment based upon one person’s particular race.”

It also restricted any state employees from being trained with a mandate giving “preferential treatment of one person’s particular race, color, ethnicity or national origin, over that of another person.”

Under the executive order, state agencies have been compelled to review their DEI policies to ensure they are compliant with a Supreme Court ruling in the landmark case, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. Braun used the ruling as a reference point since it focused on policies related to race-based admissions.

The following examples were highlighted in Braun’s report:

• 350+ examples of DEI initiatives in state government programs.
• 70 cases of DEI training, instruction, or programing for state employees which have been eliminated.
• Hundreds of hours of time that will no longer be spent on DEI trainings and can now be spent on serving Hoosier taxpayers.
• 34 grants within Indiana State Agencies that were conditioned on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which all Hoosiers can now compete for.
• 200 DEI initiatives in state agency policy and procedures which will now prioritize the values of merit, excellence, and innovation that bring us together rather than the things that divide

The removal of DEI initiatives in the Hoosier state has also extended to public schools following the passage of SB 289. Previous reports indicate that the law, which went into effect on July 1, restricts public schools, colleges and medical licensing boards from using state money for DEI initiatives.

The law, which was authored by State Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville), also prevents public institutions from hiring, firing or granting a medical license based on a person’s race, religion, color or sex.

To read the complete report, click here.