Republican Arkansas Governor Asa
Hutchinson says there's no urgent need for LGBT protections in the
state.
After initially supporting a so-called
religious freedom bill critics argued could be used to refuse service
to gay men and lesbians, Hutchinson reversed course, saying that he
wanted the bill's language changed to more closely mirror a federal
version.
Hutchinson's reversal came after a
similar measure in Indiana attracted nationwide attention, forcing
Republican Governor Mike Pence to ask lawmakers for a “fix,” and
Arkansas-based Walmart, the world's largest retailer, weighed in
against the bill.
LGBT rights activists called on
Hutchinson to sign an executive order banning workplace
discrimination by state agencies on the basis of sexual orientation.
“I don't see any urgent need for it
now,” Hutchinson said on Thursday. “Again, I got my request, so
we'll see what the future develops but I considered the issue
resolved when they gave me my first request of a new bill.”
The governor also stood by his support
for the initial version of the bill.
“That's not the kind of issue you
want bottled up in committee, so I'm glad it ultimately got to the
floor for a vote and I was glad to encourage that,” Hutchinson
said. “Now, in hindsight, sure, I wish we all knew 45 days ago
what we know today. We could have been more precise in the language
and I would have made my call for a bill that precisely mirrors the
federal bill earlier.”