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Sign the Petition: Stop Book Bans in Texas

Stop Book Bans in Texas

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Texas Freedom to Read Project, launched in December 2023, seeks to connect, support & mobilize parent led groups fighting to protect students' right to read throughout the state.

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News & Updates

Read the latest news & updates from Texas Freedom to Read Project.

Criminalizing Teachers Won't Protect Texas Kids.

March 18, 2025

In case you missed it, Texas bills like Mayes Middleton's SB412 and Jared Patterson's HB267 proposing to eliminate the affirmative defense for education, scientific and governmental reasons aren't actually going to do a whole lot to protect children because they maintain the exception that protects an adult married to a child to give that child spouse "obscene or otherwise harmful" material (ie pornography).

Call and Email Your Texas Senator to Oppose SB13 Before It's Too Late!

March 10, 2025

Last week, the Texas Senate K-16 Education Committee voted 10-1 (Senator José Menéndez was the lone dissenting vote) to send SB13 to the full Senate for a vote.  Senate Bill 13- which is Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick's priority bill to "guard against inappropriate books in public schools" is listed on the Regular Order of Business and likely to be taken up for a vote by the full Texas senate very soon. Act now, before it's too late. 

Make Your Voice Heard: Oppose SB13

February 25, 2025

The Texas Senate K-16 Education Committee will hold a committee meeting and public hearing on a number of proposed senate bills on Thursday, February 27. The meeting is scheduled to start around 10am, and may last all day. Members of the public are invited to provide testimony on the bills listed on the hearing notice- including Senate Bill 13- which is Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick's priority bill to "guard against inappropriate books in public schools." So now is the time to make plans to travel to Austin, and/or start emailing your elected representatives and committee members.

A new bill could ban Huck Finn and "Letter from Birmingham Jail" from Texas public schools

February 17, 2025

{Originally published by Frank Strong on his Substack: Anger & Clarity} On Wednesday, Texas State Senator Angela Paxton filed SB13, a bill that was listed as one of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s legislative priorities for this session with the purpose of “guarding against inappropriate books in public schools.” The full text of the bill is available here. Every Republican member of the Senate is listed as co-author.

How Much are Book Bans Costing Texas Tax Payers?

February 11, 2025

{Guest post by Leila Green Little} According to documents obtained from a public records request, the State of Texas has spent $179,897.54 on its defense so far in BookPeople, Inc., et al., v. Martha Wong, et al. This price tag results from over 1,600 hours of labor for the Office of the Attorney General’s office. And this is just the beginning—this cost will surely increase as the case goes to trial. Should the trend continue and the State of Texas eventually lose in the terminal stage of this lawsuit (as they most likely will), it will be responsible for paying the plaintiffs’ legal fees. 

Montgomery County Commissioners Court Puts Politics Above Public Interest

February 02, 2025

After several years of Montgomery County Memorial Public Library and librarians being subjected to slander, doxing and harassment by politicians and activists calling for the restriction and removal of diverse and inclusive books- especially age relevant children's and young adult books that center LGBTQ+ and BIPOC perspectives- the County Commissioners voted to appoint one of their own- the elected County Judge Mark Keough- as the director of the public library system. Judge Keough proceeded to immediately terminate the employment of Montgomery County's library director- Rhea Young. 

Texas Lt. Governor Patrick's Harmful Legislative Priorities

January 30, 2025

Yesterday, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced 25 of his top priorities for the current legislative session. At least four out of the 25 bills will directly impact the freedom to read in Texas. 

United in the Fight for the Freedom to Read in Texas

January 28, 2025

On January 28, 2025 Texas Freedom to Read Project, along with a broad coalition of local, state and national partners and allies issued a joint statement affirming our shared commitment to fight for the freedom to read in our state during the 89th legislative session, and beyond. 

An Overview of the 2025 Texas Legislative Session

January 20, 2025

On January 14, 2025, the Texas Legislature commenced its 89th regular legislative session to set policy goals and advance bills that will impact residents statewide.

Other Causes for Concern in the 2025 Texas Legislative Session

January 20, 2025

Beyond bills that attempt to criminalize the profession of librarianship and take away funding from public schools, Texas representatives have filed bills that would attack booksellers and establish subjective criteria for approving or restricting instructional materials in public schools. 
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