BY: HANNAH TAYLOR
Members of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus criticized the state budget and Gov. Mike Kehoe’s executive order to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in a news conference Tuesday.
State Rep. Michael Johnson, a Kansas City Democrat and the caucus chair, focused his comments on Kehoe’s elimination of DEI efforts.
The caucus had released a statement opposing the executive order covering state agencies when it was announced. Members continued to echo that sentiment Tuesday.
“DEI is not a black thing,” Johnson said. “DEI is for everyone. It’s for veterans. It’s for those that are disabled. It’s for those that have impairments. It is for those that deserve a chance at showing equality on a job.”
In a news release announcing the midsession update, Johnson added, “While this legislature has been entrusted by the people of Missouri to administer a healthy economy, professional opportunities and affordable living, the Republican supermajority appears to be, again, largely ignoring the needs of Missourians, particularly those of color.”
Beyond the executive order, legislation approved by the House seeks to ban all state funding of DEI initiatives, which would cover state universities and other spending not included in Kehoe’s executive order. The bill, sponsored by GOP state Rep. Ben Baker of Neosho, was debated by the Senate Government Efficiency Committee on Monday.
State Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Columbia Democrat, voiced his opposition to legislation seeking to prohibit public institutions of higher education from discriminating against religious, political or ideological organizations.
Smith warned that this bill would allow organizations to engage in hate speech and leave students of color unprotected on college campuses. He said students are captive audiences and should not be subject to, “hate speech,” “ugliness” or “racist ideas.”
Regarding the state budget and tax cuts, members of the caucus voiced their opinion that continuous cutting of state taxes and federal services are putting Missourians at a disadvantage.
“We are renegotiating some of the very fundamental contracts that we have made with the public,” said state Rep. Del Taylor, a Democrat from St. Louis..
The Missouri state budget totals more than $50 billion, with about half supported by federal aid. According to Taylor, if federally funded programs receive cuts, that means a cut in federal workers’ salaries.
“These individuals need to be paid just like the rest of us,” Taylor said.
Despite his concerns, Taylor praised the Missouri economy for being strong and continuing to grow, but said with the growth comes the willingness to meet financial obligations.
The biggest example he cited was the state’s budget allotment for education. Taylor noted that under provisions of the Missouri Foundation Formula, an adequate state education budget requires an additional $300 million over what Kehoe has proposed. Instead of committing to this amount, Taylor added that representatives are willing to “change the formula” through a task force also proposed by Kehoe.
“Our state is strong,” Taylor said. “Our economy is strong. But as we continue all of these tax cuts and tax shavings and tax incentives, we are discounting and we are robbing the people of Missouri of basic services that they need.”
This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.