The Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature, hoping to curry favor with President Donald Trump, are ramping up their efforts to end all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, as Trump did within the federal government with an executive order.

It’s happening all over the country.

And depending on who is leading the charge, and what level of understanding they have (or don’t have) about DEI efforts, what they’re doing is either a little bit racist or … a lot.

Here in Arizona there are a couple of bills working their way through the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Senate Bill 1694 would cut off state funding to higher education institutions that offer one or more courses on DEI.

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Senate Bill 1256 would prohibit any state run department, board, commission, etc. from requiring participation in a DEI program or from using DEI programs in hiring.

Senate President Warren Petersen

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