Local lawmakers are celebrating legislative wins. Representative Richard White touted House Bill 4 and 15 as two of the most consequential. House Bill 4 prohibits public postsecondary education institutions like MSU and UK from providing differential treatment or benefits based on a person's religion, race, sex, color, or national origin. White said the rule will benefit individuals and institutions.
“It’s going to save a lot of money to the taxpayers at the universities. Morehead State did not have a DEI program, but the University of Kentucky spent over $100 million on the program,” White said.
The bill demands all universities deconstruct their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion or DEI programs. White said the bill will help ensure the most qualified people are chosen for scholarships and job opportunities.
White said House Bill 15 aims to get kids driving sooner.
“A lot of states already have fourteen years olds where they can get a learner’s permit. Kentucky, now, can be fifteen years. Once, a lot of the local offices get the paperwork to process that. They can get their intermediate license now at sixteen and their full license when they’re seventeen,” White said.
More information on the legislation is available at apps.legislature.ky.gov.