GOP gets brutal 'Schoolhouse Rock' lesson in courtroom setback

A state judge in Texas partially blocked Republicans' effort to purge diversity from a key business development program — and cited a popular educational series about government in the process.

The issue stemmed from acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock making a move last year to single-handedly purge women and minorities from the Historically Underutilized Business, or HUB, program, a major state initiative explicitly designed to give equal procurement opportunities to underprivileged groups.

According to Scott Braddock of Quorum Report in a post to X, "An Austin State District Court judge partially blocks Acting Comptroller Hancock from unilaterally kicking minorities & women out of the Historically Underutilized Businesses program. The judge mentioned 'Schoolhouse Rock' and separation of powers in her ruling."

The ruling, which followed a rousing courtroom battle between a lawyer from the Texas Attorney General's office and Sen. Royce West, does not completely enjoin Hancock from removing people from HUB, but protects the six plaintiffs who were part of the suit.

"The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus and plaintiffs including business owners who have described 'having the rug pulled out from under us' were successful today in partially blocking Hancock from moving forward after the judge in the case issued a temporary injunction and set a trial for this fall," stated Quorum Report. "November 9 is the trial date."

Texas's anti-diversity moves parallel similar efforts by the Trump administration over the federal government, as the president has issued a series of orders barring diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, and has attempted to purge government agencies that either have or are perceived to have such policies.

The Trump administration even took the Pride flag off the Stonewall National Monument in New York City, a key site of LGBTQ civil rights history — but this week, agreed to put it back as part of a settlement with a number of nonprofits.