JASON RAPERT (file image).
Brian Chilson.
Gov. Sarah Sanders today appointed former state Sen. Jason Rapert to the Arkansas State Library Board. Sanders likewise selected Shari Bales of Hot Springs to the board.
Rapert is creator and president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, a group whose mission is to "bring federal state and local legislators together in assistance of clear biblical concepts," according to its site. A former senator from Conway, he lost his bid for the Republican nomination for lieutenant guv last year to Leslie Rutledge.
Social conservatives recently have been targeting librarians throughout the country and in Arkansas for not removing or moving books or other products they think are damaging to mionrs. A state law that threatened librarians with criminal penalties and aimed to facilitate censorship is bound in federal court.
Not too many Arkansans were likely acquainted with the State Library Board before this consultation. But it promises that it will now become yet another point of department within the state, considering the panel has some control over town library financing.
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That's partially because Rapert generates debate the way funeral services induce tears. He is referred to as an extreme anti-abortion crusader-- more so than lots of Republicans-- and isn't shy about what he states online.
Consider a post he made on Twitter earlier this month following an election in Ohio that preserved the right to an abortion in that state's constitution and otherwise saw gains for Democrats in a number of places. "The Democrat Party is behind the radial LGBTQ insanity attacking our children through public libraries and activist teachers that are pressing homosexual porn on small kids," Rapert composed.
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He also corresponded Democrats with "antisemitic riots," "the extreme homosexual movement," and "the increase in atheists and satanism in our nation" in the exact same post. "The future of #America is on the line and Christians are the only block of voters delegated #SaveTheNation from the current march to the bottom of the pit of hell being led by the Democrat Party in our country," he continued.
The Devil may have won a few political battles in #America on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, however evil will quickly be gotten rid of by righteousness when more #Pastors become accountable for leading the parishes they serve to remember faith without works is dead.
Across the country in ... pic.twitter.com/gENg9sR0It.
—-- Jason Rapert (@jasonrapert) November 8, 2023.
Rapert's term on the board will end Oct. 18, 2029. He succeeds Joan O'Neal, whose term on the seven-member board ended Oct. 22 of in 2015, according to the state library's website.
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The other new library board appointee, Shari Bales, is not as popular a public figure as Rapert. Bales' spouse was an organizer of a boat parade supporting then-President Donald Trump in July 2020 at Lake Hamilton. In a social networks post at the time, Bales welcomed Sanders to attend.
Bales' term will go through Oct. 18, 2030. She prospers Donna McDonald, whose term expired Oct. 18.
Rapert did not instantly return ask for comment. Bales stated she remained in a conference and would comment later on.
When asked questions about the library board's duties, settlement and other details, Arkansas Department of Education spokeswoman Kimberly Mundell forwarded the Arkansas Times a copy of the panel's laws without additional explanation. (The state library belongs of the education department.).
According to the Arkansas State Library's website, it is the "information resource center for state companies, lawmakers and legal personnels; provides guidance and support for the development of regional public libraries and provides the resources, services, and management essential to fulfill the instructional, informational and cultural requirements of the citizens of Arkansas.".
The state library likewise administers state and federal funds appropriated for libraries and library development.
Among the board's other responsibilities are these, according to the website:.
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- Enhancing access to libraries and details resources.
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- Promoting the advancement, usage and support of public libraries and details resources.
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- Fostering the recruitment, training, and education of library workers.
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