Grand Canyon Times

Senator Anthony Kern expressed his disappointment towards Arizona's Secretary of State, Katie Hobbs, for vetoing legislation that would have allowed public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Kern stated, "I'm appalled the state's top elected official is abandoning God and the very foundation our country was built upon by not allowing teachers to expose their students to the morals and ethics outlined in the Ten Commandments."

The bill, SB 1151, sponsored by Senator Kern, aimed to give schools the option to include copies or excerpts of the Ten Commandments in classroom materials without mandating their teachings. Kern believed that the Ten Commandments could contribute to a well-rounded, age-appropriate, and culturally diverse educational environment that encourages discussion and engagement among students.

Senator Kern criticized the veto, attributing the rise in mental health issues among youth to the lack of exposure to moral and ethical teachings. He emphasized the importance of instilling good values in children, stating that it helps in building better human beings with sound character who can navigate life's challenges with grace and treat others with respect and dignity.

Katie Hobbs' decision to veto the legislation was seen by Senator Kern as a reflection of the Democratic Party's inclination towards promoting state-sponsored atheism and depriving Arizona's children of the opportunity to develop a strong moral compass.

For more information on the matter, interested parties can contact Kim Quintero, Director of Communications at the Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus, via email at kquintero@azleg.gov.