Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (Official photo)
Democrats in Indiana are crying foul after Gov. Mike Braun defunded their state's lone predominantly Black university.
Inside Higher Ed reports that Braun this year left funding for Martin University completely out of his proposed budget after the college had received millions of dollars in funding over the last two years.
The move has drawn howls of protests from Democrats in the state.
"I won’t mince my words: It’s racist,” Democratic Indiana State Rep. Gregory Porter said.
Porter also told Inside Higher Ed that he and his colleagues were “highly disappointed” by the move and insisted that "we never saw it coming."
ALSO READ: 'Dangerous': Even GOP outraged by Tennessee push to jail officials for pro-immigrant votes
Porter believes that the decision to cut funding for the university is related to Braun's order issued recently that bars government money going to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Democratic Indiana State Rep. André Carson similarly shamed Braun for axing funding for the college and accused him of caving to right-wing pressure campaigns aimed at eradicating any talk of diversity inside government or the private sector.
"The decision to withdraw funding from Martin University and eliminate state DEI programs rejects what’s best... in favor of dangerous, inaccurate, partisan talking points," he argued.
Former Gov. Eric Holcomb, also a Republican, had agreed to provide $5 million to Martin University over the last two years.
Report typos and corrections to corrections@rawstory.com.
For customer support contact support@rawstory.com.
