ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoes GOP bill aimed at banning CRT in public schools

Mar 9, 2023, 1:05 PM | Updated: Mar 13, 2023, 8:11 am
(Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)...
(Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, as expected, vetoed a Republican bill Thursday aimed at keeping critical race theory out of K-12 public schools, calling the legislation divisive.

The bill’s sponsor responded by calling the veto “a slap in the face to parents.”

“It is time to stop utilizing students and teachers in culture wars based on fearmongering and unfounded accusations. Bills like SB1305 only serve to divide and antagonize,” the Democratic governor said in her veto letter.

Many Republicans view the concepts underlying critical race theory (CRT) as an effort to rewrite American history and persuade white people that they are inherently racist and should feel guilty because of their advantages.

But the theory also has become somewhat of a catchall phrase to describe racial concepts some conservatives find objectionable, such as white privilege, systemic inequality and inherent bias.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. J.D. Mesnard, was sent to Hobbs’ desk on Monday after moving through the Legislature on party-line votes.

“I’m deeply disheartened by Gov. Hobbs’ choice to condone these discriminatory teachings our kids are being exposed to, by vetoing my bill,” Mesnard said in a statement Thursday. “As lawmakers, we are called to protect the vulnerable, including impressionable and innocent kids.

“Her action today is a slap in the face to parents who came forward with serious concerns about the racism being taught in their children’s classrooms.”

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne ran and won his campaign last year emphasizing an anti-CRT sentiment.

Horne, a Republican, said Thursday he expected the veto and is looking at other ways to keep what he thinks is inappropriate race-related messaging out of classrooms.

“I’d have to bring the charge, and it would be decided by the State Board [of Education]. I think teachers could be disciplined for using a captive audience to promulgate their own personal ideology,” he said.

“That’s not why they are being paid. They are being paid to teach academics.”

On Tuesday, Horne’s office launched a hotline for parents to call if they think their children are being taught CRT or other “inappropriate lessons.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Mudvayne...
Kevin Stone

Metal veterans Mudvayne to play Phoenix area for first time since 2009

Mudvayne's Psychotherapy Sessions Tour will stop at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix in August.
22 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Arizona Supreme Court)...
SuElen Rivera

Arizona Supreme Court says Hobbs not required to carry out execution warrant

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that Gov. Katie Hobbs is not obligated to carry out an execution warrant for Aaron Gunches.
22 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District)...
KTAR.com

Crews rescue multiple people, pig from floodwaters in Arizona

Crews were able to successfully rescue multiple people and a pig from floodwaters that gushed through portions of Arizona on Wednesday.
22 hours ago
(Pixabay Photo)...
Kevin Stone

Supt. Horne says crank call ‘idiocy’ won’t derail Arizona hotline for parent complaints

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said bogus reports won’t sidetrack the hotline he created to field parent complaints about lesson material.
22 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Arizona Lottery)...
KTAR.com

Triple Twist jackpot ticket worth $225,000 sold at Phoenix grocery store

The latest big Arizona Lottery winner came Tuesday after a six-figure ticket was sold at a Phoenix grocery store.
22 hours ago
Leslie Yeager (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)...
KTAR.com

Arrest made in Phoenix hit-and-run that caused pregnant passenger to lose baby

A Phoenix woman was arrested and charged with manslaughter and drunken driving after a pregnant woman miscarried following a hit-and-run collision earlier this week.
22 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(Photo: OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center)...

Here’s what you need to know about OCD and where to find help

It's fair to say that most people know what obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders generally are, but there's a lot more information than meets the eye about a mental health diagnosis that affects about one in every 100 adults in the United States.
(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...
Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.
(Photo via MLB's Arizona Fall League / Twitter)...
Arizona Fall League

Top prospects to watch at this year’s Arizona Fall League

One of the most exciting elements of the MLB offseason is the Arizona Fall League, which began its 30th season Monday.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoes GOP bill aimed at banning CRT in public schools