Edwards Says He’s Not Rescinding Anti-Discrimination Order

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards says he won't change his order requiring most state contracts to contain LGBT rights protection language, despite a loss in court on the issue.

On his monthly radio show Wednesday, the Democratic governor said he is exploring his legal options — but won't rescind the requirement.

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has blocked dozens of contracts to let state agencies and boards hire outside lawyers that contain the anti-discrimination language. Landry says Edwards' executive order exceeds the governor's authority.

Edwards sued Landry. A judge ruled against the governor, refusing to force Landry to sign off on the legal contracts.

The judge didn't rule on whether Edwards' order was legal, but instead on the technical aspect of the attorney general's authority in reviewing legal contracts.

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