HB1228 opponents celebrate governor's response, request executive order

Opponents to the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act gathered Wednesday to celebrate immediately after Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced he has asked legislators to amend House Bill 1228.

The Arkansas Stonewall Democratic Caucus, a group that promotes homosexual advocacy and is not an affiliate of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, held a news conference applauding Hutchinson's decision.

Organization President Tippi McCullough called for the governor to sign an executive order protecting all citizens from discrimination regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The group will start circulating petitions for the executive order, McCullough said.

McCullough said while Hutchinson's decision is a "step forward," opponents of HB1228 will be watching to see what happens next.

"This certainly is a step forward and progress," McCullough said. "We've seen over the past few weeks how quickly the political landscape can change."

Several community leaders spoke at the news conference, including American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas Executive Director Rita Sklar, Pulaski County Circuit Clerk Larry Crane, Reps. Warwick Sabin and Eddie Armstrong, and businessmen Scott McGehee and John Burkhalter.

Burkhalter said he applauds Hutchinson for sending the legislation back to the state House and Senate for amendment, he's concerned about the outcome.

"They have the chance to fix it," Burkhalter said of the General Assembly. "I'm very concerned that they may not do it correctly. House Bill 1228 needs to not stand, it needs to go away."

Arkansas Citizens First Congress, a grass-roots activist group, presented a petition against HB1228 with over 5,500 signatures to Hutchinson after a news conference, Arkansas Citizens First Congress and Arkansas Public Policy Panel Executive Director Bill Kopsky said. All counties in the state were represented in the people who signed the petition, Kopsky said.

"[HB1228] needs to be amended so it can't be used for discrimination," Kopsky said. "I think that's something every Arkansan can stand behind."

Rep. Clarke Tucker, D-Little Rock, who spoke Tuesday in the House against HB1228 amendments, said Wednesday that he is "cautiously optimistic" about the governor's decision and knows of two solutions currently being discussed: aligning HB1228 more with the federal version or adding language that the law would not be used to discriminate against people.

"I hope we add both parts, but I'm not sure what will make it through the General Assembly," Tucker said.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock law professor John DiPippa, who said he was not speaking on behalf of the university, said at the Citizens First Congress news conference that it wouldn't be enough for the language of HB1228 to more closely resemble the federal version of the RFRA.

"More and more [the federal law is] used in a way counter the original purpose," DiPippa said. "There really is no good version of this bill unless there are limitations."

The Human Rights Campaign also hosted a news conference with several community leaders who expressed thanks to the governor for his decision, and to constituents who voiced their opinions about HB1228.

"The governor made it clear today that he's listening," Human Rights Campaign president and Arkansas native Chad Griffin said. "We have to double down on our efforts to hold [legislators] accountable. We have a long ways to go to ensure complete equality in the state of Arkansas."

Acxiom Executive Vice President Jerry Jones, Yellow Rocket Concepts partner Scott McGehee and Griffin all pledged support to continue fighting HB1228.

"I pray Gov. Hutchinson does the right thing for Arkansas, but if he doesn't, Yellow Rocket Concepts will fight until he does," McGehee said.

Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola said the crowd gathered should "show some love" to Hutchinson for asking for an amendment to HB1228.

"It took a lot of courage to come out and say that the language [in the bill] is unacceptable," Stodola said. "Let's forge some language...that we are not there to discriminate against anyone for any reason whatsoever."

Democratic Reps. Vivian Flowers of Pine Bluff and Eddie Armstrong of North Little Rock both encouraged constituents to continue expressing opposition to the legislation.

"Do not leave this Capitol until we get the results that we absolutely want," Armstrong said.

House Speaker Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia, and Senate President Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, are "good people but they need to know their colleagues have to do the right thing," Armstrong said.

Rep. Bob Ballinger, lead sponsor of HB1228, said after Hutchinson's announcement that the legislature will "get everything worked out" regarding the bill.

Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.