Digital Transactions Authoritative, insightful and timely information for payments professionals
By Jim Daly
Merchant processor Heartland Payment Systems Inc.’s outspoken chief executive Bob Carr weighed in Friday with a statement on Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Carr says the law could relegate some people to “second-class status” and is an “invitation to discriminate.”
“It is deeply troubling that the state of Indiana has passed a bill that runs counter to the tenets of fairness, respect and equal opportunity,” Carr said. “As a major employer in Indiana, and elsewhere throughout the country, I respectfully call on the Indiana governor and state Assembly to further fix or nullify this harmful law.”
Princeton, N.J.-based Heartland employs about 1,000 people in the Hoosier State, most at a big operations center in Jeffersonville, just across the Ohio River from Louisville, Ky.
While more than 20 states have similar laws that aim to prevent government from infringing on people’s religious liberties, Indiana’s new law drew intense fire over the past two weeks for allegedly providing cover to businesses that discriminate against gays and lesbians. The state Legislature approved changes, which Gov. Mike Pence signed Thursday, meant to address that issue.
But a Heartland spokesperson tells Digital Transactions News that Carr’s comments relate to the amended law.
“This is not a matter of politics or religion, but rather a test of our character to treat others as we wish to be treated,” Carr said. “While this law is certainly bad for the business reputation of Indiana, its harm runs deeper than the bottom line. It is an affront to neighbors, friends, family members, fellow workers and customers. The people of Indiana–all of its people–deserve better.”
The CEO of another major Indiana employer, Angie’s List, also rejected the amended law, calling it insufficient, according to USA Today. Indianapolis-based Angie’s List put a planned expansion of its corporate campus on hold when the Legislature passed the original law.
