In a surprising announcement Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said that he will not sign a religious freedom act into law requesting that the state legislature make changes to the bill in the wake of criticism that the legislation could be used to facilitate discrimination against LGBT citizens and other groups, reports The Huffington Post.
Hutchinson said at a press conference that he was seeking changes to make Arkansas’ legislation mirror the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed by former President Bill Clinton in 1993.
“There’s a generational difference of opinion on these issues,” Hutchinson said citing his son as an influence on his decision.
“My son, Seth signed the petition asking me, Dad the governor, to veto this bill and he gave me permission to make that reference,” said Hutchinson. “And it shows that with families there is a generational difference of opinion on these issues.”
The announcement came a day after Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) was forced to defend a similar law in his state. After facing a national firestorm, Pence called on Tuesday for new legislation that would clarify that his law does not grant businesses the right to deny services to anyone.
