After seeing the controversy that erupted in Indiana, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has sent back a similar religious freedom bill back to state legislators before he agrees to sign it.
Critics say the bills allow businesses and individuals to discriminate against gays and lesbians. Although other states have passed similar bills, Indiana’s bill caught more attention. As a result, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence vowed to “fix” the bill, even as he tried to defend it.
Meanwhile, Arkansas was about to pass one as well after it passed through the state House. But some businesses - including Walmart - pushed for Hutchinson to veto it. Even the governor’s own son wanted Hutchinson to veto it, as did Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola.
So, this morning, the Republican governor said he wants changes made to move it closer to the 1993 federal law, notes CNN. Hutchinson said he wants Arkansas “to be known as a state that does not discriminate but understands tolerance.” So, he is also thinking about signing an executive order to ban discrimination among state employees.
“The issue has become divisive because our nation remains split on how to balance the diversity of our culture with the traditions and firmly held religious convictions,” Hutchinson noted. “It has divided families, and there is clearly a generational gap on this issue."
As The New York Times notes, Pence in Indiana did not explain what kind of changes he would want to his state’s bill. Pence has said that the law does not actually allow a private business to deny service to gays and lesbians.
There are differences between the Arkansas and the Indiana bills. The Times notes that Arkansas’ bill makes it more difficult for a business to prove that a state law goes against the religious beliefs of its owners.