Thread by @ByPiperHutch

In House education, Rep. Ken Brass asks @RepHodges64 to define CRT. “People teaching that one race is superior or inferior to another or that some people are advantaged because of the color of their skin,” Hodges said. #lalege #lagov

Hodges falsely claims that there’s a critical race theory department at LSU #lalege #lagov #laed

Hodges is presenting a resolution asking K-12 schools and higher ed institutions to report on DEI initiatives, CRT programs and use of social emotional learning legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo… #lalege #lagov

BESE is opposing the resolution because it creates a bureaucratic burden and provides no solid definitions of DEI, CRT or SEL. A rep for the board is also concerned that a copy of the report has to be transmitted to the appropriations committee #lalege #lagov

“What Mr. Rogers taught, some may consider social emotional learning,” Ethan Melancon, a BESE Rep said #lalege #lagov

Brass moves to call for the question, which would end debate on the resolution. The motion fails.

Hodges said her primary concern is the amount of money being spent on these initiatives

“Forget the money,” Rep. Tammy Phelps said. “What is your problem with inclusion?” #lalege #lagov

Commissioner of Higher Education @KimHunterReed points out that inclusion also means including disabled students, veteran students, nontraditional students and women. “This is not a blame game, a shame game… this is real life.” #lalege #lagov

“If the question to us is how much money are we spending erecting ideological commissariats or pursuing an institutional doctrine or Neo Marxist indoctrination, I can answer that question for you today… the answer is not one penny,” @DrJBHenderson said #lalege #lagov

“At its core, this is a racist instrument,” @LCTCSpresident said #lalege #lagov

Dr. Sullivan is really impassioned about this. “The little man in Florida does not draw policy in Louisiana,” he said, referencing @GovRonDeSantis, who has also targeted DEI #lalege #lagov

.@chronicle took a look at Florida school’s reporting on DEI and found no institution spent more than 1% of its budget on DEI undertakings, with some spending as little as $9,000. We spent less on higher ed in pretty much every area. #lalege #lagov #laed

chronicle.com/article/desant…

Andres Vasquez, @LSU_SG governmental relations director, raises concerns that the reporting requirement could have a chilling effect. #lalege #lagov

“I am not a racist and I don't appreciate being called one,” Hodges says in response to Sullivan’s comments. “I don't understand the anger over this because we're simply asking how much is being spent.” #lalege #lagov

Committee chair Rep. Lance Harris clarifies that nobody was called a racist #lalege #lagov

The committee votes to defer a resolution asking K-12 schools and higher ed institutions to report on DEI initiatives, CRT programs and use of social emotional learning #lalege #lagov