SEN. KOLKHORST APPOINTED TO COMMITTEE ON CIVIL DISCOURSE, FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN HIGHER ED

  

State Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) has been appointed to one of two select committees formed to study bias, discourse and free speech at college campuses in Texas.

According to the Office of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, the Senate and House Select Committees on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education were created with a goal of ensuring publicly funded institutions foster open dialogue and do not discriminate against students, faculty or staff based on their beliefs. 

The formation of the committees comes amid a number of controversial reactions online following the shooting and killing last week of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as he was hosting an event at Utah Valley University. 

Patrick said the First Amendment “is the foundation of all our rights”, as it guarantees the freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, of assembly, and of petition.  House Speaker Dustin Burrows said the committees “will help identify ways to better protect the fundamental right of free speech on our campuses”, including measures to keep political gatherings safe.  The committees’ recommendations will guide future lawmaker policy decisions.

Kolkhorst said she is honored to be named as a committee member to “address the serious climate and problems we face in Texas and across the nation at our higher education institutions.”  She said, “This committee will seek solutions that swing the higher education pendulum back to a place where all sides are freely and equally represented, without fear of retribution or discrimination.  As a state committed to the principles of open dialogue, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that publicly funded institutions uphold the values of free expression.”

The committees will examine the implementation of two higher education bills passed during the 89^th Legislative Session, Senate Bill 37 and Senate Bill 2972, as it relates to discourse and freedom of speech on campuses.