Gov. Asa Hutchinson
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has announced that he will not sign the “religious freedom” bill passed by lawmakers in his state last night, saying that he will instead send the measure back to the state Legislature for changes to make sure that it mirrors a federal law already in place, CNN is reporting.
Hutchinson said he made his decision because he wants Arkansas to be “known as a state that does not discriminate but understands tolerance.”
He also said he is considering issuing an executive order than bans discrimination in the state’s workforce.
Hutchinson had initially said he would sign the religious freedom bill into law. His change of heart came following the firestorm that has erupted over a similar bill signed into law last week by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and after the CEO of WalMart, Arkansas’ largest business, issued a statement urging Hutchinson to veto the bill.
Hutchinson said, “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. It has divided families, and there is clearly a generational gap on this issue.”
CNN notes that Hutchinson said his own son, signed a petition urging him not to sign the bill.
