Virginia Democrats use book bill to make fundraising pitch

(AP) – Virginia Senate Democrats are blasting Republicans for pushing a bill that would force schools to notify parents if their children are to be assigned to read books with sexually explicit content.

The Senate Democratic caucus used the bill in a fundraising pitch this week, urging their supporters to chip in to send a message to Republicans that “censorship is not a Virginia value.”
    
The bill would require teachers to provide a student with an alternative if his or her parent objects to the sexually explicit book. Supporters say they merely want to ensure parents have a say in what their children are exposed to.
    
Democratic Sen. Lynwood Lewis joined GOP senators in backing the bill. Gov. Terry McAuliffe has not said whether he will sign the measure.