(Just The News)—Despite a state legislative ban, Texas public universities are still implementing so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, state lawmakers have found.
Several institutions renamed or relaunched new units under a different name to continue implementing DEI policies, lawmakers found. Others are requiring DEI credits in order to be eligible to receive undergraduate degrees, according to two reports.
As a result, state law makers have frozen increased funding requests for all public higher education institutions in the state.
State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, filed the state’s first DEI ban in higher public education institutions, SB 17, in the last legislative session. After passing the state legislature and being signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, the law became effective Jan. 1, 2024. It prohibits higher education institutions from spending state-appropriated funds on DEI policies. It also requires governing boards to certify institutions are in compliance with the law.
Last year, higher education institutions began eliminating DEI positions and changing hiring practices in order to comply with the law, The Center Square reported.
However, complaints from constituents continued to roll in claiming some higher education institutions in Texas weren’t complying with state law. In response, Creighton and state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, launched an investigation. Creighton chairs the Senate Education Committee and Bettencourt chairs the Senate Finance Higher Education Work Group.
They sent a letter to the boards of regents at Texas public universities stating that reports they received “were not found to be satisfactory.”
Texas Education Code “directs governing boards to ensure each member institution does not ‘establish or maintain’ a DEI office – this includes renaming, relaunching or reauthorizing a DEI unit under the guise of a different name. We have found this to be the case in numerous instances, particularly at our health-related institutions,” they said.
As a result, “due to these valid findings of noncompliance, requests for increases in state funds for all public institutions of higher education this legislative session are now frozen at levels from the previous biennium,” they said.
They also instructed the regents to provide “clear and indisputable evidence that DEI programming has been fully eliminated” in their institutions in compliance with the law.
Failure to do so will result in loss of funding, they said.
They sent the letter after two major reports were issued highlighting DEI programs in higher education institutions nationwide, including in Texas.
One report published by Speech First, a free speech advocacy group, found that 67% of U.S. colleges and universities “require students to take a DEI-related class to graduate.”
Among them are 10 in Texas: Baylor University, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Tech University, the University of Texas’ Austin, El Paso and San Antonio campuses, Trinity University in San Antonio, University of Houston and the University of North Texas.
The Goldwater Institute published a report analyzing $1 billion worth of federal grants that had been allocated to promote DEI programs in K-12 schools and universities nationwide under the Biden administration. The report sought to quantify “the financial implications of these DEI mandates on students and state taxpayers.”
It identified public universities from at least 30 states that require all undergraduate students to complete a DEI course “to even be allowed to graduate with a degree from a state taxpayer-funded institution.”
In Texas, they include Texas Tech University, the University of Texas-Austin and El Paso campuses, and University of Houston-downtown. The report breaks down the cost to taxpayers in the thousands of dollars per student to comply with the DEI credit requirements, including in Texas.
In addition to raising concerns about higher education institutions, Creighton filed another bill this legislative session to ban DEI policies in K-12 public schools, The Center Square reported.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.