In Reversal, Arkansas Governor Says He Won't Sign Pro-Discrimination Bill

: Gov. Asa Hutchinson won’t sign controversial bill in its current form

In a reversal, Republican Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson announced Wednesday he won’t sign a controversial ‘Religious Liberty’ bill into law unless changes are made that make it clear the measure does not authorize discrimination. The bill passed by Arkansas legislators on Wednesday mirrors enacted in Indiana last week that created a national backlash and a wave of criticism against similar laws in other states.

CNN reports:

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Despite the national outcry and political fallout from a similar bill in Indiana, the Republican-controlled Arkansas state legislature passed the so-called ‘Religious Liberty’ law on Tuesday, sending it to the desk of  Governor Asa Hutchinson for final approval.

Like the controversial new law in Indiana, aka the ‘Religious Freedom Restoration Act’ (or RFRA), the proposed measure which received final approval by both the Arkansas House and Senate says, in part, that “state action shall not substantially burden a person’s right to exercise of religion.” However, critics point out that those protections for religious freedom already exist and that what the law is really trying to do is offer legal cover, under the guise of religion, to those who would discriminate against others—particularly gays and lesbians—of whom they disapprove.

“Religious freedom is a fundamental value, but it should not be used to justify harm or discrimination against others,” said Rita Sklar, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas, which opposes the bill.

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With the bill now officially on the desk of Gov. Hutchinson, also a Republican, the only way to stop it from becoming law is to issue a veto. His other choices include signing it into law, or doing nothing, in which case the bill automatically becomes law after five days. Hutchison has voiced support for the law and indicated he will sign it, but the ongoing controversy and outcry over the law in Indiana may at least give him pause.