Representative Cates is receiving wide coverage and support for her bill to stop book banning in public libraries.
Read Source New Mexico for an in-depth article:
“Ahead of the upcoming 30-day legislative session, a state lawmaker has introduced the first in an expected series of proposed bills that would prohibit banning books in public libraries.
State Rep. Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho) pre-filed House Bill 26 last week, which, along with prohibiting book banning, would also require publicly run libraries to establish a procedure for people to challenge library materials “believed to be obscene, unlawful or incompatible with the library’s purpose;” prohibit retaliation against library employees; and would make public libraries ineligible for state funding if they do not follow state law.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will have to explicitly include the issue in her “call” for the session starting Jan. 20, which is otherwise limited to budgetary matters. Michael Coleman, the governor’s communications director, told Source NM via email that the proposal “is one of many that the governor and her staff are reviewing prior to the 30-day session. While a decision about this bill hasn’t been made yet, the governor is staunchly opposed to banning books — a view that she believes most new Mexicans share.” More
Read The Santa Fe New Mexican‘s story, Rio Rancho Democrat files another bill to stop book banning:
“Cates has filed a bill to prohibit book banning at libraries operated by cities, counties or the state based on “partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” Her measure, House Bill 26, would need authorization from Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to be considered in the 30-day session beginning this month. This session is primarily devoted to financial matters, and Cates’ bill does not involve the appropriation of any money. Still, she hopes the governor will give her proposal a green light, as Lujan Grisham did in the 30-day session of 2024.”