Haslam ‘Concerned’ Over Bill Targeting Vandy Police

Gov. Haslam, via flickr

Governor Bill Haslam says he’s concerned over a new bill that echoes one he vetoed last year. At issue is a campus anti-discrimination policy at Vanderbilt University. It means Christian groups can’t exclude gay members, drawing ire from some in the legislature.

Last year lawmakers threatened to pull state money from Vanderbilt, over its so-called All Comers policy. It was the first time Haslam vetoed a bill. This year it’s back, now targeting the school’s police powers. Haslam says he’s still concerned. And he wants to know if this version would hold up in court.

“Remember last year we said we didn’t think it was constitutional. The attorney general later came back and said it wasn’t. We have the same concern here, if this is targeting in that way, that wouldn’t fit the constitution. So we’re trying to get a better read on that.”

Haslam stopped short of threatening another veto. His fellow Republicans in the legislature could override one with a simple majority.

Haslam was speaking at a luncheon where someone called for ‘a welcoming and inclusive state.’ Asked if he worries over what message the proposal sends, Haslam answered he’s always worried about the state’s image, but in this case it’s mainly the legalities.