Coulter Amendment: Higher Spending on DEI Initiatives

Description

This Democrat-led bill increases state spending on Minnesota's public colleges and universities by roughly $500 million for FY 2026-27, expanding appropriations to the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State systems while adding new diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) reporting mandates. Supporters claim it strengthens student success, and workforce readiness, but the measure fuels bureaucratic growth, centralizes state control over higher education, and directs little funding toward affordability or performance outcomes. CPAC opposes this bill for expanding government control and ideological mandates at taxpayer expense. The bill failed in the house 67-67.