S1100

The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator May to amend the Education Law, with a 45-16 vote on Calendar Number 650, Senate Print 1100. The bill addresses library access to books and materials, drawing passionate debate over censorship and local control. Sen. Krueger spoke in support, expressing alarm at book banning efforts and citing historical examples of censorship as a tool of control. "I can't think of anything scarier in this country than preventing people from having access to books," she said. Sen. Walczyk opposed the measure, arguing that the New York State Board of Regents should not dictate which books local public libraries stock. Sixteen senators voted against the bill, including Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Murray, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber, and Weik.