Utah House GOP dodge questions on anti-DEI bills during rollout of 2024 legislative priorities

During a Wednesday press conference to unveil the priorities House Republicans plan to focus on in the 2024 session that starts next week, House Speaker Mike Schultz blocked Rep. Katy Hall from answering questions about her forthcoming bill to rein in diversity programs at Utah’s public colleges and universities.

Hall, an Ogden Republican, was one of nearly a dozen House Republicans on hand for the Wednesday afternoon event. When asked to elaborate on what her bill does, Schultz waved her away from the podium.

“I want to keep it eye level right now,” Schultz said. “Once the bill becomes public, we can talk more about the details.”

“I hope that’s okay,” Schultz asked Hall, who nodded enthusiastically.

Hall’s bill, and similar efforts by Republicans, promise to be one of the most contentious issues in the 2024 session. Gov. Spencer Cox — who recently referred to such alleged hiring practices as “bordering on evil” — said lawmakers would be addressing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on college campuses in the coming weeks.

There are scant details about what Hall intends to do with her legislation and she’s refused several interview requests from The Salt Lake Tribune.

The house speaker denied that those programs would be eliminated or defunded and would only talk in general terms about fairness and ensuring everyone has the same opportunities.

“What we’re trying to do is make sure this opportunity-driven process helps any at-risk students. Period. End of story,” Schultz said. “There are some inequities that exist, but you can’t say that what’s happening in some of these institutions isn’t divisive and creating further division in our communities.”

Not everybody is in the dark about what Hall is proposing. Schultz said the 61 members of the House GOP caucus have been briefed on the particulars. Those caucus meetings are conducted behind closed doors and are not open to the public.

‘For Utah’

One of the four areas House Republicans hope to focus on this year is “accountable government.” A 48-page booklet titled “For Utah”— and produced at taxpayer expense — outlines those priorities and makes a passing mention of the coming anti-DEI push under the heading “Free Marketplace of Ideas.”

The remaining policy priorities for House Republicans landed under one of four topics:

• The “People” section promises “pro-family” policies, cutting taxes, reducing regulations on businesses and prioritizing education.

• Water policy and addressing the state’s growing energy needs fall under the “Resources” heading.

• A pledge to push back against federal regulations and aims to improve government efficiency are categorized as “Accountable Government.”

• Addressing Utah’s housing crisis, investing in transportation and developing safeguards around Artificial Intelligence make up the “Future” section.

Schultz and members of the GOP caucus refused to budge when pressed for specifics on several other proposals that are likely coming during the upcoming 45-day legislative session. Lawmakers kick off their annual lawmaking on Jan. 16.

“Citizens of the state and the nation are losing faith in our government, and it’s easy to see why,” Schultz said during the news conference. “I really want the House of Representatives to be closest to the people and to spend time engaging with constituents.”