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.
