LA Times: California lawmakers OK bill to fine school boards that ban books over race, LGBTQ+ issues
BY MACKENZIE MAYS / STAFF WRITER
SACRAMENTO — The California Legislature approved a bill on Thursday that would allow fines against school boards that ban textbooks based on their inclusion of LGBTQ+ and race lessons — an attempt to halt escalating culture wars playing out in right-leaning enclaves of the liberal state.
The legislation, AB 1078, strengthens the state’s enforcement of laws that require diverse and inclusive education, and appears sure to get the signature of Gov. Gavin Newsom. The governor helped craft the legislation after a conservative Temecula school board rejected a lesson featuring slain San Francisco politician Harvey Milk, a gay rights icon.
The bill comes after some local school boards backed by conservative majorities have taken up textbook content and gender identity issues, echoing national talking points about alleged infringements on parental rights.
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Democrats cast doubt on claims of concern about age-appropriate materials, saying parents still can control what their children read, and accusing Republicans of reaching for political gain by way of school boards.
“Too many times, the decisions on whether to ban books are driven by ideology — are driven by QAnon chatrooms and not by fact,” said state Sen. Dave Min (D-Irvine), who voted for the bill. “It’s under this guise of obscenity or protecting our children, but that is not how we’ve seen it play out.”