Missouri House gives initial approval to $45.6 billion state budget that defunds libraries

[sl8]

https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2023-03-29/missouri-house-gives-initial-approval-to-45-6-billion-state-budget-that-defunds-libraries

Missouri House gives initial approval to $45.6 billion state budget that defunds libraries

St. Louis Public Radio | By Sarah Kellogg
Published March 29, 2023 at 9:06 AM CDT

Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio

The budget is less than Gov. Mike Parson’s initial proposal, and eliminates funding for a pre-K program and for public libraries. Democrats and Republicans repeatedly clashed over language that bans staffing for any programs or vendors "associated with diversity, equity and inclusion."

[...]

Smith cited a lawsuit filed against the state by the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri on behalf of the Missouri Association of School Librarians and the Missouri Library Association as the reason for the cut.

The lawsuit seeks to overturn a state law passed last session that bans sexually explicit material from schools and has resulted in school districts pulling books from their shelves.

“I don't think we should subsidize that effort, so we're going to take out the funding,” Smith said.

[...]

[people]

1. Missouri

I know it is easy for me to say because I don't live in MIssouri but if I did, I would think about moving asap. This defunding of libraries and children's programs is TOO TOO MUCH.

[Historic NY]

2. The Show me how stupid we are state.

[Rebl2]

4. About right

[LoisB]

3. I despise these people. How does one justify defunding libraries? I guess because those

libraries are public and they and their kids will have private access to every book they want or need.

[Rebl2]

5. The mid continent

library system in KC area has a board now that has become more conservative. They are in, I believe, 3 or 4 counties in KC area.

[LoisB]

6. That is sad. Everyone should have access to as much knowledge as they can absorb.