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City leaders in Hutchinson repeal a new anti-discrimination ordinance, and vote to put the protections before voters in November.
The ordinance passed earlier this year added protections for sexual orientation to the city's anti-discrimination code. The ordinance protects from discrimination in things like employment and public housing.
Hutchinson residents signed two competing petitions on the ordinance. One petition called for the ordinance to be repealed; the other would allow for the ordinance to be expanded. The petitions required the city council to take action within 20 days, or set each issue for a public vote within 90 days.
Tuesday morning, during the regular Hutchinson City Council meeting, city council members voted on the first petition, deciding 3-2 to repeal the current ordinance. The council then voted unanimously on the second issue to put the question on the ballot in November.
A similar issue faces city leaders in Salina. That community passed an anti-discrimination ordinance this year including sexual orientation and gender identity. A petition certified in Salina calls for that ordinance to be repealed. Later this month city commission members in Salina will vote on whether to repeal the ordinance, or put it on the November ballot.