A major overhaul of higher education that would limit employee rights, restrict what is taught in the classroom and largely ban mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion training is dead for this year, Provost Joe Whitehead told Faculty Senate Tuesday.
He said he’d received the news about Senate Bill 83 shortly before addressing the senate.
Whitehead reported that House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) said he doesn’t have the votes. Time is also running out on the current legislative session.
The bill is now stalled, he said.
However, the bill’s sponsor Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) and Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said they continue to push for the bill next session and will not make the compromises they made this session to try to get the bill passed.
[RELATED from Ohio Capital Journal: Ohio House blocks controversial higher education overhaul bill]
The bill was passed by the senate on May 17, by a 21-10 largely party-line vote with State Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) joining all but three Republicans in voting in favor of the bill.
Whitehead characterized the lack of action in the house as good news, adding “we continue to fight the battle to protect higher ed.”
