KUAR | By Josie Lenora, Nathan Treece
An attempt by a former state lawmaker to withhold funding to some libraries failed on Friday.
Former Republican Sen. Jason Rapert was appointed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to the state Library Board in November. At his first meeting Friday, Rapert made a motion to withhold funding to libraries that are actively suing the state.
The lawsuit
A lawsuit was filed in June of last year over whether the state may enforce parts of Act 372. The law would require all libraries to create a restricted section for books considered “harmful to minors” and could criminally penalize librarians who do not comply. The law describes harmful items as “material or performance that depicts or describes nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sadomasochistic abuse.”
Michael Hibblen/Little Rock Public Radio
Library Board member Jason Rapert's motion to halt funding for the libraries suing the state failed, after the motion failed to receive a second.