Republican holdout keeps homosexual rights bill from moving forward

A first-term republican legislator was a hold-out last night, forcing delay on a bill which seeks to undo Governor Vilsack’s executive order which bars discrimination against state workers who are gay or “trans-gender.” Republicans argue Vilsack exceeded his authority, and they plan to make gay rights an election issue in the fall. But Representative Galen Davis of Ottumwa — a republican — isn’t convinced. He says he isn’t sure there’s enough proof to show the governor has violated anything.The House Judiciary Committee tabled debate on the issue when it was clear their plan to undo Vilsack’s order would fail. The panel’s chairman says the bill WILL pass on Thursday, when all members of the committee are present.