A proposed Arizona bill aimed at preventing teachers from “promoting antisemitism or anti-semitic conduct” in the classroom was vetoed by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs on Tuesday. The decision has sparked debate, with the Governor citing concerns about the bill’s potential impact on educators and its effectiveness in combating antisemitism.
The bill, which would have applied to K-12 teachers and university faculty alike, sought to allow students, parents, or school staff to file complaints against individual teachers for lessons deemed to constitute “harassment or discrimination and that creates a hostile educational environment” related to antisemitism.
READ: Appellate Court Upholds Block On Florida Immigration Law, Citing Federal Preemption
Teachers found to have “recklessly violated” the ban could have faced personal liability in court, with penalties ranging from formal reprimand to the revocation of their teaching certificate.
Governor Hobbs, in her veto message, stated, “Antisemitism is a scourge on our society and a deeply troubling issue in our country. Unfortunately, this bill is not about antisemitism; it’s about attacking our teachers.” She emphasized that the legislation would “put an unacceptable level of personal liability in place for our public school, community college, and university educators and staff, opening them up to threats of personally costly lawsuits.”
A key voice in the opposition to the bill was the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center (TJMHC). The organization spoke out against the legislation on Friday, expressing concerns that it would undermine essential Holocaust education, which they believe is crucial for combating discrimination against Jews.
READ: EPA Proposes Repeal Of Biden-Harris Era Power Plant Regulations, Citing Billions In Savings
Governor Hobbs directly cited TJMHC’s letter in her veto, stating that the bill would “attack our public education system” and “unfairly targets public school teachers.”
TJMHC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This veto comes despite Governor Hobbs having signed a separate bill in 2024 that expanded Arizona’s requirement for students to be taught about the Holocaust, indicating her commitment to Holocaust education.
The recent veto, however, highlights a nuanced approach to addressing antisemitism in the classroom, prioritizing the protection of educators from what the Governor views as overly burdensome and potentially chilling legislation.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
