By Howard Fischer
Mail | Twitter: @azcapmedia

PHOENIX – Sen. J.D. Mesnard defended his “critical race theory” bill Thursday shortly after Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed the proposal.

In a brief message, Hobbs used her 16^th veto on legislation that Mesnard, a Chandler Republican and the bill’s sponsor, said would preclude educators from  "pushing a destructive and racist ideology'' in schools.

That is based on Mesnard’s assessment that some students are being taught that America as a whole is a racist country.

But Hobbs wrote “it is time to stop utilizing students and teachers in culture wars based on fearmongering and unfounded accusations. Bills like SB 1305 only serve to divide and antagonize.''

Hobbs, however, sidestepped questions about exactly what in the measure she found objectionable.

"I just fundamentally disagree that this bill addresses a real problem that we're facing in our schools,'' she said during a briefing later with reporters.

"I urge the Legislature to work with me on the real issues affecting Arizona schools: underfunded classrooms, a growing educator retention crisis and school buildings in need of repair and replacement,'' she said.

Mesnard told Capitol Media Services the governor is off base.

"I don't think it's a made-up issue,'' he said, adding parents are "very concerned with some of the assignments their kids are coming home with.''

And Mesnard said it's not like approving a bill on critical race theory, which actually has been debated for a year, takes away focus from other issues.

"We can multi-task,'' he said.

Strictly speaking, SB 1305 does not contain the words "critical race theory'' despite the fact that is how Mesnard and many Republicans refer to it.

Instead, it contains a laundry list of concepts that he - and the other Republicans in the House and Senate - said should not be taught in public schools.

These include:

• Judging an individual on the basis of the individual's race or ethnicity.
• Teaching that one race or ethnic group is inherently morally or intellectually superior to another.
• Discussing that an individual, by virtue of race or ethnicity, is inherently racist or oppressive, whether consciously or otherwise.
• Saying an any individual bars responsibility or blame for actions committed by those of the same race or ethnic group.

Much of the objections surrounded not the specific provisions but the fact that the measure allowed teachers who are found to have run afoul of the provisions to be subject to discipline "as the State Board of Education deems appropriate.'' And school districts are subject to $5,000-a-day fines.

All that, foes said, could result in teachers avoiding controversial subjects and refusing to answer questions from students on issues of race and ethnicity.

Mesnard said that's not true.

He noted SB 1305 specifically lists slavery, the removal of Native Americans from their lands, the Holocaust and the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II as permissible subjects.

But he said the legislation never said that was "a full, encompassing list'' of what could be taught, noting it would have allowed teachers and invited guests to discuss "historical movements, ideologies or instances of racial hatred or discrimination.''

However, Mesnard said some things are "abhorrent and shouldn't be taught,'' like telling kids they are responsible for acts done by those of their own race. And that, he said, makes the legislation necessary.

"This is an issue that, if you don't nip it in the bud now, you are going to see more and more,'' Mesnard said. He said he "wanted to stop it before it becomes a bigger problem.''