The Education Committee of the Texas Senate is meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, September 18) to discuss the interim charges given to them by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. One of those interim charges is to “monitor the implementation of legislation” addressed by the committee and to “make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of those laws passed in the 88th Legislature.” Specifically, Patrick asked for help monitoring “oversight of public school library procurement and content policies.”

That means HB 900, the anti-book “READER Act” designed to remove books en masse from Texas schools. Half of the law has been enjoined as likely unconstitutional by the extremely conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Nonetheless, the remaining parts of the law have wreaked havoc on education on the state, and we at Texas Freedom to Read Project intend to let the members of the committee know exactly how.

The Senate Education Committee is scheduled to consider interim charges which include monitoring oversight of public school library procurement and content policies, on September 18 at 9am in the Sam Houston Building- Room E1.036 (Finance Room). This hearing will include opportunity for public testimony.

Texas Freedom to Read Project is thrilled that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in blocking HB900, has recognized and affirmed booksellers, librarians, teachers, and parents' concerns that the law violates the First Amendment. We thank BookPeople and Blue Willow Bookshop for their courage and tenacity in standing up against this unconstitutional law. This is a win for Texas students and a vindication of the freedom to read.