After court ruling, LA governor refuses to rescind LGBT nondiscrimination order
Source: Associated Press
By MELINDA DESLATTE, Associated Press · Thursday, October 20, 2016
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday that he wont change his order requiring LGBT rights protection language in most state contracts, despite a loss in court in his dispute with the states attorney general over the anti-discrimination clause. I cannot imagine any circumstance under which Im going to rescind the executive order, the Democratic governor said on his radio call-in show. And, of course, I hope to be able to work it out with the attorney general. At the present, it doesnt seem that thats going to be possible.
Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has blocked dozens of contracts that contain the anti-discrimination language, saying the governors executive order exceeds his authority. Edwards sued, trying to force Landry to sign off on the contracts, which would enable state agencies and boards to hire outside lawyers.
Judge Donald Johnson in Baton Rouge ruled against the governor this week, but didnt weigh in on whether Edwards executive order was legal. Instead, he sided with Landry on a technicality, suggesting the attorney general has discretion in how his office reviews the legal contracts.
The governor said he and his lawyers will soon announce a course of action in response to the decision.
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Read more: http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2016/10/court-ruling-la-governor-refuses-rescind-lgbt-nondiscrimination-order/