Why We Killed the "Library Bill"

Some bills deserve to die. This was one of them.

Editorial from Senator Brian Lenney, District 13, Nampa

We killed a library bill dead on the Senate floor yesterday...

18-17 was the vote count.

But... why

Well, in an odd turn of events, all but one Democrat joined with conservatives to kill it for two different reasons.

The Dems didn't like it because they don't think there's a problem with libraries or porn on the shelves.

We killed it because the bill we got (which was preceded by a lot of pressure, shenanigans, and arm-twisting) didn't protect kids or families... it protected libraries.

Because it created a 14-step process that could cost tens of thousands of dollars and take years to remove a single book:

Crazy, right?!

That red tape would be enough to dissuade almost any parent from even trying (let alone retaining a lawyer to help them do it).

We wanted to fix or amend it, but the bill sponsors wouldn't budge an inch.

So, we killed it.

It deserved to die, and I'm glad it did.

Because the library bills that came before it went straight to the issue, held libraries accountable and didn't require parents to be the new "library police."

For example, House Bill 666 (I know, scary) from 2022.

It solved the problem and passed the House. But the Senate wouldn't even HEAR IT afterward.

Why not bring that one back?

It eliminated the provision in Idaho law (that exists as you're reading this) to let libraries, schools, and museums give porn to kids LEGALLY.

Yep, that's Idaho LAW!

So, why not just get rid of that section of code?

Easy, right?

There are other ideas too…

Ones that don't make parents hire lawyers and spend tens of thousands of dollars to remove a single book.

But the bill yesterday... was a compromised bill pushed onto the sponsors by leadership and run by a guy in the Senate who openly admitted he didn't even think libraries had an issue with obscene materials in the first place.

Let's do better.

Our kids deserve it.

Cheers,
Brian

P.S.
Here are some decent write-ups on what went down:

1. https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2024/02/22/senate-kills-compromise-library-bill/

2. https://amp.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article285799981.html

3. https://twitter.com/thinklibertyID/status/1760805917006954706

______________________________

Here are some ways you can help the Idaho Freedom Caucus:

Get to know these public members and support their work. Back Row, left to right: Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld–District 24; Rep. Tony Wisniewski–District 5; Rep. Joe Alfieri–District 4; Rep. Mike Kingsley–District 7; Rep. Dale Hawkins–District 2; Sen. Scott Herndon–District 1. Front Row, left to right: Rep. Jacyn Gallagher-District 9; Rep. Heather Scott (Co-Chair)–District 2; Rep. Elaine Price–District 4; Sen. Tammy Nichols (Co-Chair)–District 10; Sen. Brian Lenney–District 13; Sen. Cindy Carlson–District 7.

Share this Substack to help others stay informed on what’s happening.

Follow us on Twitter and  Facebook.

Donate to our Idaho Freedom Caucus PAC.

Thanks for joining us in the fight to keep Idaho free. Idaho is worth defending!

–