Arkansas Gov. To Discuss His State’s Religious Freedom Bill At 11:30

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Thursday, March 26, 2015. Hutchinson told reporters Thursday that a $102 million middle class income tax cut he signed into law ... Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Thursday, March 26, 2015. Hutchinson told reporters Thursday that a $102 million middle class income tax cut he signed into law last month and an effort to restore a capital gains tax break that was scaled back to help pay for that reduction are all that his proposed budget can afford. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) MORE LESS
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Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) plans to hold a press conference at 11:30 EST to discuss a religious freedom bill headed to the state legislature.

Hutchinson’s press conference, announced by his office, on Wednesday follows the Arkansas legislature passing its own version of the controversial religious freedom bill Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed into law March 26.

While Pence was adamant about his intentions to sign the Indiana bill, Hutchinson has been more opaque about his intention. He appeared to have had reservations over an earlier version of the bill, but, according to The New York Times, said recently that he would sign a bill similar to those that had passed in other states.

That statement came despite backlash from major national companies now directing some of the negative attention from Indiana’s controversial bill at Arkansas. Apple CEO Tim Cook urged Hutchinson not to veto his religious freedom bill. Walmart, the retail giant headquartered in Arkansas, has called on Hutchinson to veto it.

One important difference between Arkansas and Indiana is that even if Hutchinson does choose to veto the bill, the state legislature has strong override powers which it could use to force the bill into law regardless of Hutchinson’s veto.

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  1. Unless Hutchinson is planning to veto there isn’t much he needs to say other than “Me hate gay people…me love freedom…me love bashing women on head…”

  2. War is God’s way of teaching Americans world geography. Homophobia is God’s way of teaching Americans the names of Republican governors. -@LOLGOP

  3. Avatar for dnl dnl says:

    WinWin for Asa-------

    Veto with the knowledge that the veto will be overridden by FauXian Teanderthals

  4. What’s to discuss? This is ARKANSAS.

    Bic will have to put on another shift to make enough pens for Asa to put enough ink on this baby.

  5. Avatar for dnl dnl says:

    Home of
    Bill Clinton
    J William Fulbright
    Johnny Cash
    Mary Steenburgen
    William Powell
    Maya Angelou
    Me

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