By Steven Allen Adams, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued an executive order earlier this week to excise policies linked to DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion – from state government. But a college campus free speech organization contends that may unfairly limit what professors can teach.
Answering a question during a Thursday press conference in the Governor’s Reception Room at the State Capitol Building, Morrisey said he felt confident that any legal challenge to his DEI executive order would lose.
“Obviously, we take the time to try to get things right,” Morrisey said. “We believe we’re on strong ground. And same for everything we do. We take the time to try to do it right. And I think our batting average…was a pretty darn good batting average.”
During a press conference Tuesday, Morrisey announced the signing of eight executive orders, ranging from audits of state departments to allowing for religious and conscientious objections to the state’s school-age immunization program.
One of Morrisey’s decrees, Executive Order 3-25, prohibits the use of DEI by state departments and agencies, as well as prohibit the use of state taxpayer dollars for DEI programs.