Latest news with #SB13
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Is Library access for students becoming a legal minefield in the US?
In the first half of 2025, US lawmakers introduced more than 200 bills impacting libraries, some intended to protect student access to information and others proposing new limitations. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A recent report by EveryLibrary , a national advocacy organisation, outlines how the legal landscape surrounding student library access is becoming more complex, with notable variations across different states. According to the report, 133 bills introduced across 33 states were categorised as potentially harmful to libraries, librarians, or readers. These include laws that expand definitions of 'harmful to minors' and propose transferring decision-making authority from library professionals to politically appointed boards or parent-led councils. Fourteen of these bills have been enacted as of July 2025. A shift in legal accountability One of the more significant changes noted in the report involves adjustments to legal protections for educators and school librarians. In Texas, for example, SB412 removes previous legal defences under state obscenity laws. This means educators may no longer cite a 'bona fide educational purpose' as protection when assigning or distributing materials that could be deemed controversial under the new statutes. New Hampshire passed a similar law, HB324, which permits parents and the state attorney general to pursue civil actions against school employees over content concerns. Civil penalties in such cases may begin at $1,000 per violation. A comparable bill in North Dakota did not pass into law but progressed through both chambers, indicating growing legislative interest in this area. These laws are changing how educators and librarians approach material selection and policy compliance, with legal risk now playing a more central role in day-to-day decision-making. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Evolving monitoring measures In Nebraska, LE390 requires that parents receive real-time alerts when their child checks out a library book, including the title, author, and return date. While some argue this strengthens parental involvement, others have raised concerns about student privacy, particularly in relation to sensitive or personal topics. In addition, new laws in South Dakota and Idaho mandate that schools and libraries install internet filtering systems to block access to content labelled 'harmful,' with state funding tied to these compliance measures. In Texas, HB13 and SB13 grant parent-majority advisory councils a greater role in determining which books may be added to school library collections. Such measures are shaping new administrative processes around book selection and access, with a growing emphasis on content oversight. Legislative responses from Northeastern states In contrast, the report highlights states like New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, which have enacted 'freedom to read' laws. These measures affirm the constitutional rights of students and formalise protections against censorship. Under these laws, books under review are expected to remain accessible, and librarians are granted legal protection when acting in good faith. Connecticut also introduced a pioneering digital licensing law, SB1234, which regulates how libraries manage e-book access. The legislation requires libraries to decline licensing agreements that place restrictions on checkouts or preservation, aiming to support equitable access in digital learning environments. Implications for students For students, especially in K–12 schools, the report suggests that access to educational resources and a broad range of perspectives may vary significantly by state. A book used in a classroom in Massachusetts, for instance, might be restricted under legislation in Texas. Similarly, access to library materials may differ between districts, depending on local oversight policies and filtering requirements. These differences have potential implications for students pursuing careers in research-intensive fields such as journalism, healthcare, and law. The report raises the possibility that such legal variations could contribute to disparities in how educational content is delivered and accessed across regions. A changing governance model Beyond individual bills, the report notes an emerging trend in how libraries are governed. In several states, lawmakers have introduced legislation to restructure local library boards, adjust professional qualifications for librarians, or alter long-standing processes of book selection and review. These changes suggest a broader shift in how library services are administered at the state and local levels. As these policies continue to evolve, access to library resources in the United States may increasingly reflect state-level legislative priorities. The EveryLibrary report concludes with a question that now sits at the centre of the conversation: What are students allowed to read, and who makes that decision? TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us .
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BlackRock's Larry Fink gets a Texas reward for ESG retreat
BlackRock's (BLK) retreat from "ESG" initiatives has it back in good stead with a key Texas official, a victory for CEO Larry Fink, even as the world's largest money manager remains a target of the state's antitrust cops. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced on Tuesday that the lone star state had struck BlackRock from a list of financial companies that, by law, are mostly prohibited as state contractors and investments. Texas added BlackRock to that list in 2022, restricting state businesses with the Wall Street giant. Hegar said in a statement that BlackRock "has acknowledged the real social and economic costs, both here in Texas and globally, that come from limiting investment in the oil and gas industry." Since 2021, Texas law SB13 has required the comptroller's office to list companies that harm, penalize, or limit commercial relations with companies in the fossil fuel industry, Texas' largest economic driver. It requires state agencies to block and divest state investments in those firms, unless they qualify for an exemption. Hegar said the decision to take BlackRock off the boycott list was "in part because it stepped back from full participation in the Climate Action 100+ and completely exited the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative" and because "dramatically reduced" its fund offerings that boycotted fossil fuel investments. "We appreciate the comptroller's resolution of this matter," Blackrock said in a statement. "BlackRock is proud to help millions of Texans retire with dignity and, on behalf of clients, invests over $400 billion in corporations, local governments, energy infrastructure and other private assets throughout the state." Texas's status change for BlackRock comes after Fink made a series of disengagements from the firm's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives as bipartisan concerns spread over the financial giant's power to sway US markets. Fink publicly stated in June 2023 that he would cease using the politically sensitive acronym "ESG" because it had been "weaponized" by both the ideological right and the left. In January, the financial giant cut ties with UN-backed Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAM), an environmental advocacy group that pledged net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. But the comptroller's embrace of BlackRock hasn't yet stopped Texas' Attorney General Ken Paxton from pushing ahead with a legal fight to dilute BlackRock's and two other US financial giants' alleged influence over the fossil fuel industry. Paxton and 10 other Republican-led states filed an antitrust case against the trillion-dollar asset manager and its rivals State Street (STT) and Vanguard, in November, which last week attracted support from the US Justice Department and the US Federal Trade Commission. The case alleges that BlackRock and its rival financial firms coordinated a "left-wing ideological" attack on US coal companies by pressuring coal producers such as Arch Coal, Black Hills (BKH), and Peabody (BTU) to cut coal production in the South Powder River Basin and thermal coal markets. The decreased output, they said, harmed US consumers by artificially inflating energy prices. As large yet minority shareholders, the complaint claims, the defendants have more influence than their formal equity share. With that influence, they claimed, the defendants agreed to reduce output through their commitments to carbon-reduction organizations Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative and Climate Action 100+. AG Paxton's office didn't immediately respond to a request asking if the state's removal of BlackRock's from the comptroller's list will impact the antitrust claims. However, the removal suggests that the state no longer views BlackRock as a company that harms, penalizes, or limits commercial relations with fossil fuel industry companies. BlackRock asked for a judge to dismiss the case and accused the administration of trying to "re-write" antitrust law under an "absurd" theory that the coal companies conspired with them to reduce production outputs. "Forcing asset managers to divest from coal companies will harm their ability to access capital and invest in their businesses and employees, likely leading to higher energy prices," the company said in a statement. Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on X @alexiskweed. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BlackRock's Larry Fink gets a Texas reward for ESG retreat
BlackRock's (BLK) retreat from "ESG" initiatives has it back in good stead with a key Texas official, a victory for CEO Larry Fink, even as the world's largest money manager remains a target of the state's antitrust cops. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced on Tuesday that the lone star state had struck BlackRock from a list of financial companies that, by law, are mostly prohibited as state contractors and investments. Texas added BlackRock to that list in 2022, restricting state businesses with the Wall Street giant. Hegar said in a statement that BlackRock "has acknowledged the real social and economic costs, both here in Texas and globally, that come from limiting investment in the oil and gas industry." Since 2021, Texas law SB13 has required the comptroller's office to list companies that harm, penalize, or limit commercial relations with companies in the fossil fuel industry, Texas' largest economic driver. It requires state agencies to block and divest state investments in those firms, unless they qualify for an exemption. Hegar said the decision to take BlackRock off the boycott list was "in part because it stepped back from full participation in the Climate Action 100+ and completely exited the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative" and because "dramatically reduced" its fund offerings that boycotted fossil fuel investments. "We appreciate the comptroller's resolution of this matter," Blackrock said in a statement. "BlackRock is proud to help millions of Texans retire with dignity and, on behalf of clients, invests over $400 billion in corporations, local governments, energy infrastructure and other private assets throughout the state." Texas's status change for BlackRock comes after Fink made a series of disengagements from the firm's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives as bipartisan concerns spread over the financial giant's power to sway US markets. Fink publicly stated in June 2023 that he would cease using the politically sensitive acronym "ESG" because it had been "weaponized" by both the ideological right and the left. In January, the financial giant cut ties with UN-backed Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAM), an environmental advocacy group that pledged net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. But the comptroller's embrace of BlackRock hasn't yet stopped Texas' Attorney General Ken Paxton from pushing ahead with a legal fight to dilute BlackRock's and two other US financial giants' alleged influence over the fossil fuel industry. Paxton and 10 other Republican-led states filed an antitrust case against the trillion-dollar asset manager and its rivals State Street (STT) and Vanguard, in November, which last week attracted support from the US Justice Department and the US Federal Trade Commission. The case alleges that BlackRock and its rival financial firms coordinated a "left-wing ideological" attack on US coal companies by pressuring coal producers such as Arch Coal, Black Hills (BKH), and Peabody (BTU) to cut coal production in the South Powder River Basin and thermal coal markets. The decreased output, they said, harmed US consumers by artificially inflating energy prices. As large yet minority shareholders, the complaint claims, the defendants have more influence than their formal equity share. With that influence, they claimed, the defendants agreed to reduce output through their commitments to carbon-reduction organizations Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative and Climate Action 100+. AG Paxton's office didn't immediately respond to a request asking if the state's removal of BlackRock's from the comptroller's list will impact the antitrust claims. However, the removal suggests that the state no longer views BlackRock as a company that harms, penalizes, or limits commercial relations with fossil fuel industry companies. BlackRock asked for a judge to dismiss the case and accused the administration of trying to "re-write" antitrust law under an "absurd" theory that the coal companies conspired with them to reduce production outputs. "Forcing asset managers to divest from coal companies will harm their ability to access capital and invest in their businesses and employees, likely leading to higher energy prices," the company said in a statement. Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on X @alexiskweed. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas allows state agency investment in BlackRock after firm steps away from climate initiatives
The Texas Comptroller's office removed international investment giant BlackRock Inc. from a list of companies public agencies were required to divest from as the company has realigned with state law by withdrawing from key clean energy initiatives. Senate Bill 13, passed in 2021, requires the comptroller's office to maintain a list of financial firms that 'boycott' the fossil fuel industry, and included BlackRock, several other companies and roughly 350 investment funds before Tuesday's update. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar called the removal of BlackRock and over a dozen investment funds a 'meaningful victory' for Texas' energy economy but clarified in a statement that the list or divestment proceedings were not done to intentionally target companies. 'We never set out to punish any of these firms, and the hope was always that any firm we included on the list would eventually take steps to ensure they were removed,' Hegar said. SB 13 defines boycotting as refusing, terminating or penalizing business with a company that works in the fossil fuel industry 'without ordinary business purpose.' Known as an 'anti-ESG (environment, social and governance) law,' the bill led the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and the Texas Permanent School Fund to divest billions from BlackRock in 2023 and 2024. The firm was placed on the initial list in 2022 for its involvement in initiatives like Climate Action 100+, which aims to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions. Direct investment into fossil fuel companies does not preclude firms from being considered as boycotting, according to an information sheet from the state comptroller's office. BlackRock has since stepped back from Climate Action 100+ and completely removed itself from another initiative, Net Zero Asset Managers, which the comptroller's office attributed to the company's removal. In a statement to the Texas Tribune, John Kelly, BlackRock global head of corporate affairs, said they appreciated the comptroller's resolution and touted the firm's investment in other state affairs. 'BlackRock is proud to help millions of Texans retire with dignity and, on behalf of clients, invests over $400 billion in corporations, local governments, energy infrastructure and other private assets throughout the state,' Kelly said. 'These investments support the continued growth of the Texas economy.' Among the firm's in-state investments is assistance in creating a Texas-based Stock Exchange, which aims to launch in February 2026 with a boost from new legislation signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in mid-May. BlackRock was one of the initial investors, and Hegar said that while the investment in the stock exchange plan was unrelated to the list update, it represented 'a real commitment to overall policy changes.' BlackRock's removal from the divestment list has not completely withdrawn the business from scrutiny by Texas officials. Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the company and two others in November 2024, claiming they comprised an 'investment cartel' that intentionally bought shares in coal companies to reduce output and achieve clean energy standards. The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice submitted a joint statement of interest in the case in late May. Hegar touched on the suit briefly in his remarks, but said the company's move away from clean energy initiatives is a signal of good favor. 'Even as legislators and state leaders continue to address lingering concerns about proxy voting and other policies that prioritize politics over profits, I am hopeful these actions represent a long-term shift,' Hegar said. Hegar and Paxton are facing their own lawsuit over SB 13 in federal court from the American Sustainable Business Council, a progressive business group. The suit claims the law violates companies' First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by discriminating against firms' viewpoints and circumventing due process. That suit is scheduled for a motion hearing on June 18. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
San Francisco Chronicle
27-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Texas parents, school boards may have more control over school library books after House OKs bill
The Texas House gave preliminary approval Monday to a bill that would give Texas parents and school boards a bigger role over what books students can access in public school libraries. Senate Bill 13 would give school boards, not school librarians, the final say over what materials are allowed in their schools' libraries by creating a framework for them to remove books based on complaints they receive. The bill would allow school boards to oversee book approvals and removals, or delegate the responsibility to local school advisory councils if 20% of parents in a district sign a petition allowing their creation. Previously, SB 13 mandated the creation of those councils when it passed through the Senate in March, but the petition requirement was added in a House committee. SB 13, initially passed by the House 87-57, also includes definitions for what constitutes harmful material and indecent content, which led Democratic representatives to express concerns about overzealous bans on books. During the discussion on the House floor Monday, Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, pointed specifically to bill language requiring approved books to adhere to 'local community values,' which he said could lead small, vocal groups of people to limit students' book access. Talarico said titles often taught in public schools — like Catcher in the Rye, Lonesome Dove and the Bible — could end up banned under some of the bill's vague and subjective interpretations. 'If your answer to 'could Romeo and Juliet be banned,' if it is anything other than 'of course not,' then that is a serious problem,' Talarico said. Rep. Erin Zweiner, D-Driftwood, also worried the bill could lead to overly broad book bans. 'What is indecent for a 17 year old is not the same as what is indecent for a five year old,' she said. Rep. Brad Buckley, the bill's House sponsor, called community values the 'bedrock' of public policy, and the Salado Republican dismissed potential removal of classics as a 'red herring' argument. 'A speaker before me said we should cherish the value of books. Well, maybe so, but I would argue we should cherish and value our kids more, and Senate Bill 13 will do exactly that,' Buckley said. Representatives supportive of the bill said SB 13 would give parents better control over what materials their children can access.' About 16% of complaints about school library books last year were initiated by parents, according to a report from the American Libraries Association, while 72% came from elected officials, pressure groups and board members and administrators. Several amendments by Democratic representatives aiming to loosen the bill's language on profane content failed. An amendment by Rep. Brent Money, R-Greenville, which also failed, would have lowered the threshold to petition the creation of an advisory council to 50 signatures from parents, and would have required that the councils only be made up by people who signed the petition. The bill would also extend regulation introduced by a law passed in 2023 aimed at keeping 'sexually explicit' material out of school libraries. House Bill 900 was partially blocked from implementing a book rating system by a federal appeals court. Opponents of the bill have worried not only about restricting book access, but also about the administrative backlog that having to approve each new library book could create. School boards will have 90 days after complaints on each book are filed to reach a decision on whether to add, keep or remove material from school bookshelves. ___
