Referendum Temporarily Stops Textbook Bill, Seeks Voters’ Decision

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.”