Arkansas Governor Gets Pence-ive

Seems Arkansas GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson isn't waiting around to get the full Gov. Mike Pence treatment over the "religious freedom" legislation passed this week by the legislature in Little Rock, and is wisely not signing the bill.

Until it's "revised" of course.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he does not plan to sign the religious freedom bill that sits on his desk right now, instead asking state lawmakers to make changes so the bill mirrors federal law. 

The first-term Republican governor said he wants his state "to be known as a state that does not discriminate but understands tolerance." 

His decision comes in the wake of an uproar in Indiana, where Gov. Mike Pence has faced pressure from businesses, sports associations like the NCAA and popular culture figures to backtrack on a similar religious freedom law he signed last week. In Arkansas, it's been Walmart applying the most pressure. 

Hutchinson asked lawmakers to recall the law that the Arkansas House had given final approval on Tuesday -- or to send him follow-up legislation that makes the changes he requested. 

Meanwhile, Hutchinson said, he's considering signing an executive order that bars discrimination among the state's workforce. 

"The issue has become divisive because our nation remains split on how to balance the diversity of our culture with the traditions and firmly held religious convictions," Hutchinson said. "It has divided families, and there is clearly a generational gap on this issue."

It's nice for Hutchinson to remember who really runs things in The Natural State.

Walmart, the world's largest retailer, has asked Republican Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to veto a bill critics say would open the door to discrimination against members of the LGBT community.

Wally World didn't want any trouble, so I'm sure the Governor got his orders to punt.  We'll see what shape the final bill takes, but my guess is that in less than three months, this isn't going to be too much of an issue anyway, thanks to the Supreme Court.