Veto Letter HB 29

Dear Governor Cox,

Let Utah Read, a coalition of Utahns, educators, parents, librarians, and devoted
guardians to preserving Utahns’ freedom to read, urgently contacts you regarding
House Bill 29, Sensitive Materials Review Amendments. We implore you to wield
your veto power against this bill as it is a looming threat to the vibrant tapestry of
ideas that should adorn our educational landscape.

HB 29, if enacted, would encourage individuals to stifle the voices of diverse
authors and perspectives, casting a chilling shadow over the sanctity of our First
Amendment rights. Imagine a world where schools and libraries were purged and
shelves once brimming with Nobel Prize-winning authors like Toni Morrison, Judy
Blume, and Sherman Alexie were left empty, depriving future generations of the
transformative power of their words.

Privileging a few individuals with the ability to dictate educational content allows
for the decisions in a small number of school districts to override the decisions
made in every other district in Utah. HB 29 undermines the essence of local
control, disenfranchising elected school boards and robbing them of their vital
role in shaping curricula tailored to the unique needs of their communities.
Instead of fostering an environment where students are exposed to diverse ideas
and stories, this bill threatens to impose narrow, localized biases that could
suffocate the spirit of intellectual curiosity.

At its heart, HB 29 represents a dangerous encroachment on our fundamental
freedoms. It seeks to muzzle the voices of dissent and erase the invaluable
contributions of authors whose works have enriched the educational journey of
countless students over the years.

Governor Cox, we urge you to let Utah read by vetoing HB 29. Let us not allow
the shadows of censorship to darken the halls of our schools. Thank you for
considering the need to be unwavering in our commitment to upholding the
principles of democracy and free expression.

Sincerely,
The Let Utah Read Coalition