Finally, there’s an adult in the room. Tennessee’s Governor Bill Haslam, who is actually a Republican, has told state lawmakers to drop the now infamous “Don’t Say Gay” bill that has made nationwide headlines for the past few years. The bill would make any discussion or acknowledgment of homosexuality illegal in Tennessee schools. But the Governor has not stated outright that he would veto the bill, and there are changes to it that might make it a bit more palatable to him.
Yesterday a committee of state lawmakers put off dealing with so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ legislation. That’s after hearing in private from an official with Governor Bill Haslam’s office.
The amendment (pdf) that passed the state senate last year would limit all sexual instruction up through eighth grade to quote “natural human reproduction science.†Now some House lawmakers want to add some exceptions, or keep it from interfering with an anti-bullying law passed last year.
Asked about his administration’s reported intervention yesterday, Haslam told reporters he thinks there are simply better things for lawmakers to spend their time on.
“I’ve said before I don’t think that should be a priority of the legislature. I think there’s other things that we can and should be focused on right now, and I’ve been up front about that from the very beginning.â€
It’s important to note that Tennessee’s unemployment rate is higher than the national average, is ranked 39th out of 50 states (“1” being in the best shape) for child homelessness, including being ranked 45th out of 50 states for state planning and policy. In other words, what the hell are lawmakers wasting time on this bill for, I ask you, Senator Campfield?
You all remember Tennessee Senator Stacey Campfield, right? The sponsor of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill who also claims that it’s “virtually impossible” to contract HIV/AIDS from heterosexual sex?
Care for more facts about the Senator from Tennessee?
Image: Gov. Haslam by Brian Stansberry
Via: On Top and Think Progress