Gov. Mike Braun staffers have ferreted through the websites and policies of every Indiana executive branch agency over the past six months to find and eliminate any references to diversity, equity and inclusion programs or practices.
The Republican chief executive said Wednesday his team identified some 350 examples of DEI initiatives embedded in state government programs, such as efforts to recruit more state troopers from minority groups, along with another 70 instances of DEI training, instruction or programming provided to state employees.
In addition, Braun said 34 state grants previously conditioned on DEI characteristics now are open to all Hoosiers and more than 200 state policies encouraging DEI in employee recruitment and similar matters are being rescinded.
"Diversity and equality are hallmarks of what we believe as a country but these top-down DEI mandates led to division and inefficiency," Braun said.
"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."
Shortly after taking office in January, Braun shuttered the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Office established in 2020 by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb in the wake of racial unrest in the Hoosier State, and across the country, following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Braun subsequently approved Senate Enrolled Act 289 outlawing diversity initiatives at all Indiana public universities and establishing a legal cause of action for any person who believes they've faced discrimination in public education, employment or licensing due to their race, religion, color, sex, national origin or ancestry.
Separately, the Indiana Republican Party also appears to have eliminated its Republican Diversity Leadership Series.
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