On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed legislation that would have permitted public schools to include the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The bill, SB 1151, was sponsored by Senator Anthony Kern and aimed to allow copies or excerpts of the Ten Commandments to be read or posted inside any school building.
Senator Kern emphasized that the bill did not mandate the teaching of these biblical principles but intended to give schools the option to decide if including this historical document could contribute to a culturally diverse and engaging classroom environment.
"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," said Senator Kern. He further commented on current educational content, expressing concern over rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among youth. "When children are exposed to good, noble, honest, and righteous ideas, they are more prone to being better human beings with sound character," he stated.
Kern criticized Governor Hobbs' decision as indicative of broader efforts by Democrats "to push state-sponsored atheism while robbing Arizona's children of the opportunity to flourish with a healthy moral compass."
For more information:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov
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