Mike Pence delivers his State of the State address

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photo from IndyStar.com

Indiana Governor Mike Pence laid out few specifics in discussing gay-rights legislation in his State of the State address. Republicans and Democrats disagree on whether he should have done more. Democrats quickly accused Pence of “punting” on civil rights protections. A party fundraising email within half an hour of the speech’s end declared Pence “says it’s okay to discriminate.” In his address, Pence expanded on his frequent declaration that Indiana will not tolerate discrimination to say people shouldn’t be “harassed or mistreated because of who they are, whom they love, or what they believe.” But he devoted the bulk of the L-G-B-T section of his speech to reminding legislators of constitutional protections for religious liberty, and warning he wouldn’t support any bill that interferes with religious freedom. Senate President Pro Tem David Long says Pence was as specific as he needed to be. He says L-G-B-T issues and case law are evolving so quickly that it’s necessary to speak cautiously while legislators work through the details. And House Speaker Brian Bosma says Pence did set down guidelines, by avoiding a veto threat while making clear he’ll scrutinize any bill for its effect on religious liberty.