When President Trump moved to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the federal government, many Americans assumed the DEI era would begin to collapse. His January 2025 executive orders directed federal agencies to terminate DEI mandates, programs, preferences, and activities, while also targeting illegal discrimination in federal contracting and education-related funding.

New York is moving in a different direction. The state’s 2026-2027 People’s Budget Framework, released by the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, shows how DEI survives even after federal pressure. The language may shift from “DEI” to “equity,” “representation,” “culturally responsive” education, or “workforce diversity,” but the assumption remains the same.

Government officials begin by identifying demographic disparities, treating them as evidence of structural injustice, and then design policy around identity categories rather than merit, achievement, or equal treatment under the law.

The education proposals are especially revealing. The caucus supports $250,000 to develop “inclusive teaching resources and curricula” addressing “racial and cultural inclusivity” across K-12 classrooms. It also advocates for an $8 million investment to increase teacher diversity through recruitment training and retention programs.

New York’s Education Department already promotes a Culturally........

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