Phil Plummer | The Ohio House of Representatives
Phil Plummer | The Ohio House of Representatives
Representative Phil Plummer of Dayton has cast his vote in favor of Senate Bill 1, a legislative proposal aimed at reforming higher education in Ohio. The bill is designed to align university programs with the state's workforce requirements while removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. It also seeks to promote institutional stability, accountability, and transparency.
The proposed changes under Senate Bill 1 include several key measures. It aims to eliminate DEI programs, trainings, and orientations from state institutions to prevent what it describes as "institutional discrimination and indoctrination." The bill also intends to protect freedom of speech and promote equality by ensuring diverse perspectives are welcomed and opinions are not silenced or marginalized.
Further provisions in the legislation seek to ensure uninterrupted education by prohibiting faculty strikes or walkouts that could impede students' academic progress. Institutions would be required to evaluate tenured faculty members who fail to meet performance expectations, maintaining high educational standards.
To keep higher education relevant to Ohio's workforce needs, the bill proposes sunsetting programs that produce fewer than five degrees over a three-year period. Additionally, it prioritizes civics and capitalism education for Ohio students and enforces restrictions against foreign influence from entities like the People's Republic of China.
The bill will now proceed to the Ohio Senate for a concurrence vote.
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