Louisiana’s Governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, vetoed a bill on Tuesday that sought to strengthen free speech in higher education and punish students who shut down speakers on campus.
In a veto letter on House Bill 269, Edwards said the measure is “a solution in search of a problem.” He added it’s “unnecessary and overly burdensome,” The Times-Picayune reports. The bill was sponsored by Republican Lance Harris and passed with strong support in the state’s Republican-controlled legislature.
From the article:
Harris’ bill asked colleges to establish sanctions for students who interfere with “the free expression of others.” It required colleges to adopt a statement saying they strive for free expression on campuses, won’t shield students from unwelcome or offensive speech and will permit protests and demonstrations.
Had the bill become law, the Board of Regents would have had to create a “committee on free expression” to report annually on controversies or barriers to free speech on campus. Edwards described these requirements as “complex policies” that were “overly complicated.” He said they would “only frustrate the goals it purports to achieve.”
The bill was based on similar legislation that passed through the Arizona state legislature, according to The Times-Picayune.
MORE: Iowa State officials knowingly violated students’ First Amendment rights, appeals court says
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