Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three bills into law Monday morning to bring sweeping changes to the state's colleges and universities, asserting they will bolster Florida's position in education. Critics, however, charge the new laws politicize higher education and reduce free speech by dictating what can and cannot be discussed in the classroom. SB 266 is a bill aimed at ending diversity, equity and inclusion — commonly referred to as DEI — programs, along with critical race theory spending in higher education, a flyer passed out during the news conference explains. Now signed into law, starting on July 1, it will be prohibited for higher education institutions from spending public money on DEI or other initiatives that "promote dangerous political and social activism." Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Ofn39M NEW TO OUR CHANNEL? Hi! We’re 10 Tampa Bay, the CBS affiliate serving the Tampa Bay area. Our team works hard to consider context, pursue connections and identify the trends that shape our world. We believe you deserve a return on your invested attention and a reward for your curiosity. And so, we offer storytelling that delves deeper, beyond the noise and confusion, so that you can feel informed, prepared, and connected. OUR SOCIAL MEDIA: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/10TampaBay/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/10tampabay INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/10tampabay/ #10tampabay #localnews #florida