The Bible Won’t Become Tennessee’s State Book — At Least Not Yet

The Bible will not become the state book of Tennessee — at least not this year.

The state Senate voted 22-9 to set the proposal aside for the rest of the legislative session, citing an opinion from the Tennessee attorney general that it’s unconstitutional.

The move came a day after the House voted narrowly to list the Holy Bible as the state book alongside the state tree, the state bird and other symbols.

Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, a vocal critic, said the proposal would just lead to costly lawsuits.

“Our primary responsibility is to have a budget and to balance it and to make sure that we’re using the taxpayers’ dollars appropriately. And so, that’s job one and other issues like this become distractions.”

The proposal is likely to emerge again in 2016 when the legislature reconvenes.