Idaho governor vetoes bill that would have allowed Bible in schooling
BOISE, Idaho-- Idaho Gov. C. L. "Butch" Otter on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have expressly permitted the use of the Bible in public school instruction, calling the measure unconstitutional.
In the veto's accompanying letter Otter said he respected the Bible, but the measure would result in costly litigation for Idaho's public schools. He said the measure directly contradicts Idaho's Constitution.
The bill stated the Bible could be used for reference purposes in subjects like literature, history, music and world geography in public schools, but not scientific subjects.
Schools are already allowed to reference the Bible and other religious texts, but this legislation specifically mentioned the Bible.
The Legislature passed the measure in the final week of this year's session, after ignoring a warning from the attorney general's office that questioned its legality.
In Tennessee, the Bible is also making headlines.
Having already made a .50-caliber sniper gun the official state rifle, Tennessee lawmakers on Monday gave final approval to making the Holy Bible the state's official book.
The state Senate voted 19-8 in favor of the bill despite arguments by the state attorney general that the measure conflicts with a provision in the Tennessee Constitution stating that "no preference shall ever be given, by law, to any religious establishment or mode of worship."
Opponents argued the Bible would be trivialized by being placed alongside other state symbols such as the official tree, flower, rock or amphibian. But both chambers of the Legislature brushed aside those concerns to send the bill to the desk of Republican Gov. Bill Haslam. He opposes the measure but hasn't said whether he'll issue a veto.