Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is proposing penalties for schools that keep vulgar books on library shelves, he announced on Wednesday. He vowed to pass legislation that would lower the performance rating of schools that violate a law targeting obscene titles in libraries, with the state using these ratings to seize control of underperforming districts.

Background on the Law

The law in question, Senate Bill 13, was passed in 2025 and granted school boards the authority to approve and remove books based on complaints from parents and activist groups. However, according to Patrick, an overwhelming majority of school boards have not taken any action, despite the law being in effect for nearly a year.

Patrick displayed printed covers of books he found obscene at a news conference at the Texas Capitol, saying that school boards and administrators have not been following the law. He stated that the books on display were so filthy and vulgar that he refused to open them out of respect for the women in the room.

Proposed Penalties

Patrick's proposal would allow schools to be docked an entire letter grade if they were found to have a single book on their library shelves that should not be there. For example, a school could go from an A to a B rating. He insisted that the state was not banning books, but rather not using taxpayer money to buy certain books for schools.

Reaction to the Proposal

Librarians and childhood literacy advocates have argued that some of the books in question are important for students who may not see their lived experience reflected in other literature. However, Patrick noted that more than 90% of parents and grandparents would not want their kids seeing the books he was highlighting, which depicted masturbation and graphic images of genitalia. The proposal is part of a years-long battle wielded by Texas Republicans against books that often explore LGBTQ+ and race issues. According to the source, The 74, this proposal could streamline state takeovers of schools. Patrick is up for reelection and will face state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, in November. The books on display at his news conference were reportedly on the shelves of some Texas schools despite being prohibited in state prisons.