Legislator threatens suit over Governor’s action

One of the legislature’s conservative Republicans may join in a lawsuitchallenging Governor Vilsack’s “affirmative action” plans. In September,Vilsack issued an executive order which listed “sexual orientation” as onecharacteristic which is NOT to be grounds for discrimination in stategovernment employment. Senator Steve King, a republican from Kyronbelieves the Governor is trying to legislate something the Iowa legislaturewould never approve.King says the circle is finally closing around — quote “white,heterosexual, Christian males.” King says he is against any affirmativeaction plan, because they end up descriminating against someone. King saysmany of his consituents are outraged by the Governor’s move.King says if Vilsack’s order stands, the state will have a hiring quota forquote “homosexuals and cross-dressers.” Vilsack reportedly says he wants hisexecutive order setting up civil rights guidelines protecting homosexuals instate jobs to apply to all workplaces in Iowa. The governor hasn’t pushedthe idea though saying it wouldn’t have the votes to pass the legislature.