Photo Credit: Speaker Cameron Sexton / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn]-
On February 2nd, House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville-District 25) introduced a bill that would impact how public institutions of higher education can approach “divisive concepts” with employees and students. Sexton’s bill is now on the calendar for the House Higher Education Subcommittee for February 15th.
Contact information for the Subcommittee members below.
House Bill 2670 (HB2670) orders that students and employees of these higher education institutions would not be subject to penalty or discrimination if they choose not to endorse any particular divisive concept. Additionally, no particular belief or ideology can be required as a condition for hiring, tenure, promotion, or graduation.
Divisive concepts are defined as those that make any individual feel uncomfortable or discriminated against because of their race or sex.
The bill would also prohibit higher education institutions from using any training materials, programs, or state funding to promote divisive concepts.
It would also require that these institutions conduct a survey every two years to assess the “campus climate” regarding diversity and how free students and employees feel about speaking freely regarding their political affiliations and personal ideologies. Those survey results must be posted to the individual institution’s respective websites.
This bill would amend TCA Title 49, Chapter 7.
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The Senate companion bill (SB2290), sponsored by Senator Mike Bell (R-Riceville-District 9) has been passed on first and second consideration and referred to the Senate Education Committee but is not yet on their calendar.
**Note from the Tennessee Conservative – Just a reminder that many good Conservative bills die in Committees/Subcommittees before they ever see the light of day on the Legislature floor. If you support this bill, contact the Republican members of the Higher Education Subcommittee members below.**
House Subcommittee – Higher Education
Justin Lafferty (chair) – rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4110
Charlie Baum – rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6849
Mark Cochran – rep.mark.cochran@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1725
Tandy Darby – rep.tandy.darby@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7847
John Gillespie – rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-8201
Mark White – rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4415
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Directory for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
One Response
This is a Theory, not based on actual facts about people who immigrated to the US, overcoming prejudice. People of color do have more challenges but after generations, they aren’t slaves and given opportunities are well accomplished equals with darker skin.