CVickery
Established
increasingly it seems that laws are being written with the intent, not of being enforceable, but rather of being a means to harass the majority into compliance.
SuperUJ
Well-known
According to the local network news: http://www.thv11.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/31/gov-hutchinson-vetoes-sb79/70726652/
Governor Hutchinson issued the following statement upon his veto:
"In its current form, the bill unnecessarily restricts free expression and thus could have a chilling effect on freedom of speech and freedom of the press. In addition, SB79 exempts certain types of noncommercial speech while failing to exempt other forms of noncommercial speech. The absence of these exemptions could result in unnecessary litigation and suppress Arkansans who engage in artistic expression."
The full letter can be found here: http://on.kthv.com/1xw6Tge
Governor Hutchinson issued the following statement upon his veto:
"In its current form, the bill unnecessarily restricts free expression and thus could have a chilling effect on freedom of speech and freedom of the press. In addition, SB79 exempts certain types of noncommercial speech while failing to exempt other forms of noncommercial speech. The absence of these exemptions could result in unnecessary litigation and suppress Arkansans who engage in artistic expression."
The full letter can be found here: http://on.kthv.com/1xw6Tge
willie_901
Veteran
Hooray for The Governor!
oftheherd
Veteran
Since it was vetoed, it is a mute point. But it would have been interesting what the courts would have done when presented with the argument that the law didn't restrict exemptions to specific laws or locations, but only those that were protected by the 1st amendment.
IOW, if an action was protected by the 1st amendment, it would not have mattered if you were in Arkansas or London, if something was protected by the 1st amendment, your action would be protected.
SuperUJ
Well-known
I would say, hooray for those who voiced our discontent, i.e., industry groups, individuals who wrote/signed petitions, etc. Apparently, Governor Hutchinson has been listening on a few issues lately:
http://news.yahoo.com/arkansas-governor-urges-changes-religious-objection-bill-154925529.html
John