Referendum Temporarily Stops Textbook Bill, Seeks Voters’ Decision

AP Images/Kelly Jordan

Opponents of Senate Bill 48 have worked quickly and vigorously to
create a referendum that will temporarily halt the controversial
Fair, Accountable, Inclusive and Respectful Education Act (FAIR Act).

The FAIR Act, written by self-admitted homosexual state Sen. Mark
Leno of San Francisco, will force all California schools to use
textbooks and instructional materials that include homosexual,
bisexual and transgender teachings.

The bill passed the Assembly Education committee on June 22, and
on July 5 the state Assembly
sent it through to Gov. Jerry Brown on a 49-25 vote. Brown signed
the bill on July 14, making California the first U.S. state required
to teach students about the contributions of homosexuals, bisexuals
and transgenders.

Brown said the bill “represents an important step forward” for
California, but many pro-family groups disagree.

“We cannot afford to stay silent or stand on the sidelines,”
President of Pacific Justice Institute Brad Dacus said in a
statement. “Californians are extremely tolerant, but we draw the
line when history is revised to please a special interest group.”

Along with an arm of Capitol Resource Institute, the Pacific
Justice Institute is hoping to lead an attempt to allow voters to
decide the fate of the bill by a coalition of groups. Papers were
filed in July with the California Attorney General’s Office.

The office must prepare an official title and summary for the
measure, which would allow voters an opportunity to directly repeal
SB 48. Supporters will then have 90 days to obtain approximately
500,000 valid signatures to place the referendum on the ballot. The
bill is suspended in the meantime.

The official entity, supported by a growing
number of pro-family leaders across California, is StopSB48.com.

“We
have been seeing a groundswell of opposition to the enactment of SB
48, and now it is time to act,” Dacus says. “We encourage
everyone to visit StopSB48.com to learn more and join the coalition.
This effort will require us all to sacrifice and work together. We
cannot afford to stay silent or stand on the sidelines. Californians
are extremely tolerant, but we draw the line when history is revised
to please a special interest group.”