Conservative group welcomes governor

But protest also greets Hutchinson

FAYETTEVILLE -- Gov. Asa Hutchinson received a warm welcome Saturday from a Northwest Arkansas group whose mission is to hold conservative officeholders accountable. Getting that welcome, though, required passing through a group of at least a half-dozen protesters.

Both the protest and the applause were in response to his decision to sign House Bill 1228 by Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville. The bill would require state government to have a compelling interest before taking a restrictive action to regulate a deeply held religious belief.

Opponents maintain it seeks to create a legal way to discriminate. For instance, such a law could be used as grounds for a wedding chapel to refuse service to same-sex couples.

The governor attended the Conservative Arkansas annual chili supper, held at the Mount Comfort Church of Christ in Fayetteville. It was one of his few appearances outside of the Capitol or its proximity since the legislative session began, he said.

The protesters against HB1228 lined the entrance of the church's parking lot along Mount Comfort Road, carrying signs asking him to veto the bill, which has passed both chambers of the Arkansas Legislature. The House must now vote on Senate amendments. If it approves them, the bill will then be sent to the governor to sign.

Corporate executives including Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple Inc., have also called on the governor to veto the bill. Others have proposed that there could be a boycott of the state by businesses if he signs the bill.

"What company is going to boycott 20 states?" Hutchinson asked the crowd of at least 160 at the fundraiser. That is how many states have passed bills similar to HB1228, he said.

"Arkansas should not be a discriminatory state," Hutchinson said. "We should welcome those who want to come here, but we should have respect for religion."

U.S. constitutional government always has been a balancing act between First Amendment protection of freedom of religion, other rights and equal protection under the law for all, he said. HB1228 is part of that balancing act, he said.

Conservative Arkansas also honored Jeremy Flannigan on Saturday night as its Conservative of the Year. Flannigan was instrumental in organizing a repeal of an anti-discrimination ordinance in Fayetteville. The ordinance was intended to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, but critics said it went too far.

Not every stand taken by the governor was as widely supported by the conservative group's membership as his stance on HB1228.

"Don't run out on me," the governor joked when he brought up his discussion to maintain the private-option health care plan temporarily. He decided to ask the Legislature to keep the plan while alternatives are studied, telling the crowd that this ensured stability for the state's health care system.

Several opponents of the private option said they appreciated the governor's stance, that he inherited the legislation and seemed sincere in his desire to overhaul the law in the future.

"He decided against doing anything drastic until he has a grasp on it, a handle on it," said Maria Banks of Fayetteville. "He's sitting back and looking at it and seeing what the state wants instead of just doing what he wants to do, and I respect that."

Several audience members said they appreciated the way Hutchinson got conservative legislation passed as much as the passage itself.

"He's had several things that he could have turned into lightning rods, and he didn't do it," said Lucas Roebuck of Siloam Springs.

Hutchinson's nonconfrontational style and his ability to win passage without an open fight are impressive, Roebuck and others said.

Butch Pond agreed. Pond is a member of the Washington County Quorum Court who attended Saturday's fundraiser.

"There's no reason to be a sore loser, and sometimes we've had some sore winners, too," Pond said. "He's prevented a lot of friction."

Metro on 03/29/2015

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