CHEYENNE, Wyo. — On Tuesday, March 4, Governor Mark Gordon’s office announced that he had vetoed Senate File 103 – Terminating and Defunding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and instead signed House Bill 147 – Prohibition of institutional discrimination.
SF103 is a bill with the goal of “generally prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and mandates by state agencies and public educational institutions,” according to its text. In his veto of the legislation, Gordon criticized its vague language and said it would cause confusion for those attempting to enforce it at colleges and universities.
“While transparency and accountability in public spending are essential, this bill introduces ill-defined and overly broad restrictions, creates significant legal ambiguities and risks unintended consequences that could negatively impact Wyoming’s higher education institutions and workforce development,” Gordon wrote.
He added later in the letter, “This legislation is an attempt to limit curriculum and course requirements at the University of Wyoming and community colleges with a sledgehammer without regard to what gets smashed.”
Gordon also used the veto letter to express his support of HB147, which he signed. The bill states that it prohibits “governmental entities from engaging in any diversity, equity or inclusion program, activity or policy.”
In his defense of the bill, Gordon said HB147 “provides a more precise, enforceable and legally sound approach. Its definitions and balanced restrictions ensure accountability without creating unnecessary legal ambiguities or unintended consequences. Ultimately, there is no reasonable need for both acts.”
Read Gordon’s full veto letter here.
