https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Subscribe to GovPro
    • Manage GovPro Subscription
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
acc.com

New Laws


Article

Indiana backtracks on religious liberties law amid harsh backlash

Indiana backtracks on religious liberties law amid harsh backlash

The political push back against Indiana's religious liberties law has prompted Governor Mike Pence to request clarification to the legislation's language.
  • Written by Derek Prall
  • 1st April 2015

In the face of extreme backlash, Indiana Governor Mike Pence (R) promised on Tuesday to “fix” the state’s controversial religious freedom law to clarify it does not allow businesses to discriminate against homosexuals.

The measure prohibits state laws that “substantially burden” a person’s ability to follow his or her religious beliefs. Proponents of the law say it will help protect religious liberties, while opponents argue it paves the way for state-sanctioned discrimination against those with alternative lifestyles.

Pence insisted the problem wasn’t the law itself, but how it was being perceived, according to CNN. He said clarification was needed due to “the smear that’s been leveled against this law,” and he hopes language will be drafted by the end of the week.

"It would be helpful to move legislation this week that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone," Pence said in a press conference in Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Major corporations including Apple, Walmart and Salesforce openly criticized the Indiana law and other, similar measures advancing in a dozen or so states this year. The NCAA, which is hosting the men’s basketball Final Four tournament in Indianapolis this year said it may move its events elsewhere in the future, according to CNN.

State and local government leaders also have taken a stand against the legislation. According to The Seattle Times, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced last week he would ban city employees from work-related and city-funded travel to Indiana.

“I am ordering that none of our taxpayer dollars should go toward supporting this discriminatory law,” Murray said in a statement, adding that the law “doesn’t reflect the values of our city.”

Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy signed a similar order barring state spending on travel to Indiana, calling the new law “disturbing, disgraceful and outright discriminatory,” according to NBC.

"We cannot sit idly by and do nothing while laws are enacted that will turn back the clock," Malloy said in a statement, adding how he "won't allow any of our citizens in Connecticut to face discrimination in other states, at least without a fight."

However not everyone is opposing the new legislation. CNN reports Pence has received backup from the field of potential 2016 Republican presidential contenders including Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Bobby Jindal and Ted Cruz.

_____________

To get connected and stay up-to-date with similar content from American City & County:
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
Watch us on Youtube

Tags: New Laws News Resources Article

Related


  • Signs begging for change
    The 21 neediest American cities in 2021
    Every city has its share of economic issues, but economic disadvantages affects some cities more than others. Is your city among the neediest cities in the U.S.?
  • How the City of Fullerton navigated adding candidates to ballots remotely
    This time last year, we were all looking forward to 2020: the start of a new decade and big elections (federally and locally) were just a few of the things we were excited about as we closed out the year. Little did we know, the beginning of the end of “normal” would happen two month […]
  • Verizon: Building the next smart city
    In this video, Verizon shares how it’s working with partners such as GhostRobotics and Skyward to design and deploy technology that could benefit smart cities. The city of San Jose has been an early smart city adopter, is home to Verizon’s 5G mobility and 5G Home, and the first area where Verizon launched MEC. In […]
  • How Philadelphia is aiming for zero waste
    The city of Philadelphia has long collected data on city properties’ waste generation and leveraged it to improve waste management, but now it’s honing in on the commercial sector too, realizing this will be crucial to hitting Philly’s zero waste targets. Today it runs a voluntary program where both municipal and commercial operations do detailed […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • D.C. police begin identifying Capitol rioters
  • Biden cabinet picks poised to bring municipal experience to national level
  • As cities praise America’s return to Paris agreement, many have remained on course with climate actions and goals
  • Embracing digital within local government in 2021

White papers


How a unified HR system helps one public safety organization manage crews, payroll, and more in a single platform

7th January 2021

Your Roadmap to COVID-19 Funding

18th December 2020

The One Where Everyone Wins: A Mutually Beneficial Contracting Method

10th December 2020
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

The latest episode The Young Leaders Podcast focuses on Cyril Jefferson. Cyril is the youngest African American to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Hillsboro, Oregon is pioneering a new #renewableenergy generation technology through a partnership with… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

The impact of the #COVID19 pandemic on #telework was swift and profound. Now, the big question is whether – and to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Get ready for the can't-miss webinar on how to kickstart your efficiency improvement plan with Luke Anderson of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Among all states headed into the 2020 general election, which ones have voting populations that are the most demogr… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in our readership survey to help us shape future content so that we c… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

See how cities different approaches to distribute masks in their communities >> spr.ly/6010GAPLa

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

While #facialrecognition is a powerful tool that can improve law enforcement efficiency, that doesn’t necessarily t… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X