OPINION: A political statement masquerading as a legal opinion must be called out
Please believe me, I have tried to limit my criticism of Attorney General Raul Labrador. But, as a former Idaho AG for eight years, I know the importance of providing sound legal advice to state entities. When the Idaho AG issues an obvious political opinion in response to a state official’s request for legal guidance, he must be called out for giving harmful advice. Labrador recently advised the State Superintendent of Public Instruction that a classroom sign reading “Everyone is Welcome Here” was prohibited by law. The legally correct answer, based on the law in question–Idaho Code section 33-143 — was that the sign fully complies with the law.
Labrador made two major errors in reaching his conclusion. First and foremost, the law specifies that its purpose is “to maintain a neutral and inclusive environment for all students.” What could possibly be more neutral and inclusive than a sign saying that everyone in the classroom is welcome to be there?
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