Arkansas Governor Will Let Anti-LGBT ‘License To Discriminate’ Bill Become Law

Arkansas Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson will allow a bill prohibiting towns from enacting non-discrimination ordinances to become law.

This week both the Arkansas Senate and House passed a sweeping “emergency” bill that removes the right of local cities and towns from enacting non-discrimination ordinances, and makes any that expand current state protections illegal. The legislation was pushed by an anti-LGBT activist who spoke at a Family Research Council anti-gay marriage rally, Sen. Bart Hester.

Hester, who said he was “infuriated” that cities and towns were enacting non-discrimination laws, this week infamously explained his reasons for the legislation.

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Claiming that “civil rights need to not be a volatile situation,” Hester said that everyone is already discriminated against, in one way or another. “I am singled out as a politician. I am singled out because I am married to one woman,” he told Buzzfeed. “I want everyone in the LGBT community to have the same rights I do. I do not want them to have special rights that I do not have.”

Now, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (photo) has announced that while he is not comfortable with removing local control, he will allow the bill to become law, without his signature. In Arkansas, a governor has five days to sign or veto a bill that comes to his desk, or it passes into law.

“Senate Bill 202 passed with significant margins in the General Assembly, and I have a high regard for the discussion in the Legislature and respect for the legislative process,” Hutchinson said in a statement, Arkansas News reports. “As governor, I recognize the desire to prevent burdensome regulations on businesses across the state. However, I am concerned about the loss of local control. For that reason, I am allowing the bill to become law without my signature.” 

 

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