SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Yesterday afternoon, NetChoice sent California Gov. Gavin Newsom a big, beautiful letter, requesting he veto several unconstitutional proposals that made it to his desk this year from the state legislature.
NetChoice has repeatedly warned California lawmakers of our concerns and reminded them that unconstitutional laws protect absolutely no one. “No child is made safer, no consumer made more secure, when the bill in question has been struck down for violating the US Constitution,” the letter notes. Unfortunately, the legislature again has passed a slew of bills that violate its citizens’ First Amendment rights and heavily restrict innovation in the Golden State. We’re urging Gov. Newsom to take a better path and reject AB 56, AB 1043, SB 771, AB 1064 and SB 7.
“At some point, the legislature must relent in their seemingly inexhaustible desire to police speech and regulate sources of expression,” said Zach Lilly, NetChoice Deputy Director of State & Federal Affairs, in the letter. “Something must be done to break this dangerous cycle. We ask that you exercise your executive prerogative and your constitutional duty by vetoing the above-mentioned bills.”
Lilly continued: “NetChoice continues to contend that attempts to limit speech are not only legally indefensible, but represent a fundamentally bankrupt policy position. Repression is not a legitimate avenue towards democratic revitalization. Censorship is not synonymous with safety. We respectfully ask that you veto these bills.”
Read the full letter to Gov. Newsom here and below. Read POLITICO California Decoded’s exclusive coverage here.
Please contact press@netchoice.org with inquiries.