Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Huntington Beach city attorney says it will fight bill that prohibits public libraries from banning books
The public library in Huntington Beach Nov. 11, 2023.
(
Lauren Justice
/
CalMatters
)
A bill awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature would prohibit public libraries from banning books that deal with topics like race or sexuality, but at least one Southern California city official has vowed to fight against it.
AB 1825 would also require public libraries to come up with a policy on acquiring new book titles and provide ways for the public to challenge library materials.
The bill was introduced by state Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) in the wake of a series of high-profile battles over the right for children to access materials some parents questioned as inappropriate at public libraries across the nation.
"Our freedom to read is a cornerstone of our democracy, and we need to defend the right of Californians to have access to books that offer diverse perspectives," said Muratsuchi in a statement. "Unfortunately, there is a growing movement to ban books nationwide, including in California."
Support for LAist comes from
In Southern California, Huntington Beach has become the epicenter of this nationwide fight.
Late last year, the Huntington Beach City Council passed a resolution stating that no city library would allow minors access to books with any sexual content. Since then, a number of titles deemed inappropriate for kids have been moved to the adult section of the city's libraries.
The city also created a 21-person panel to review new children's books over the same concerns, but the panel has yet to be formed.
Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates said if the governor signs AB 1825 into law, the city will push back.
"If it's going to try to enforce it against Huntington Beach, then we'll fight it in the court of law," he added.
Gates argued the bill wouldn't apply to the beach community because of its status as a charter city — even though the bill includes language that charter cities are not exempt.
"The California Supreme Court has already said that as a matter of constitutional law, the way a charter city spends its money or doesn't spend that money is a quintessential municipal affair, meaning it is classically a local control issue and not the purview of the state," he said.
Support for LAist comes from
Gates has used the charter city argument to mount battles on behalf of Huntington Beach against state housing law, official audits, and to try to implement voter ID rules in city elections. Some of those battles have been unsuccessful. Others are ongoing.
Newsom has until Sept. 30 to decide on AB 1825 and other bills.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist