Pennsylvania takes initiative against discrimination

by Austin Stallings
Journalism Intern

HARRISBURG, Pa. —Pennsylvania's Democratic governor issued an executive order barring state contractors and grant recipients from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

It also bans discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, or disability.

Gov. Tom Wolf said that he “couldn’t wait any longer” for Republican lawmakers to move on legislation that would ban such discrimination in employment, housing and public services.

The executive order has been praised by big businesses as well as business advocacy groups. Wolf said that Pennsylvania “needed to be seen as a welcoming place.” Administration officials say tens of thousands of future state contracts, including Medicaid reimbursements and highway construction, will need updated nondiscrimination clauses.

The rules apply to entities that receive potentially tens of billions of dollars a year.

The Gayly 04/07/16 @ 4:14 p.m.