IN Headlines: Business Backlash Against Gov. Pence's Discrimination Bill

Mounting criticism and horrible headlines for Mike Pence

This morning, Mike Pence woke up to bruising headlines from across the state. 

Businesses are abandoning all future Indiana plans. Calls to boycott the state are coming from groups and individuals across the country. 

Even the NCAA won’t stand for Mike Pence’s brand of March madness. 

Pence knew the risks of signing this reckless law, but he couldn’t resist putting his national profile ahead of Indiana’s economy.

What key leaders are saying: 

Salesforce CEO, Marc Benioff: “Today we are canceling all programs that require our customers/employees to travel to Indiana to face discrimination.” (Twitter)

NCAA President Mark Emmert: “We are especially concerned about how this legislation could affect our student-athletes and employees…Moving forward, we intend to closely examine the implications of this bill and how it might affect future events as well as our workforce.” (NCAA Statement) 

Indiana Chamber of Commerce CEO Kevin Brinegar: “In our eyes, the law is entirely unnecessary. The reactions to it are not unexpected or unpredicted; passing the law was always going to bring the state unwanted attention.” (Chicago Tribune)

Indy Chamber President Michael Huber: “We warned of the impending negative economic impact this legislation would have…within moments of this legislation being signed, this warning became a stark reality.” (CNBC)

Spokesman for Cummins, the world’s largest diesel engine maker: “We’re disappointed with the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Cummins believes it’s bad for business and bad for Indiana and sends the message that the state is unwelcoming.” (CNBC)

Yelp CEO, Jeremy Stoppelman: It is “unconscionable to imagine that Yelp would create, maintain, or expand a significant business presence in any state that encouraged discrimination by businesses against our employees, or consumers at large.” (Open letter on Yelp’s blog)

Paypal Co-founder Max Levchin: “What is happening in Indiana is pretty unbelievable. However it’s dressed up, it’s a signal that discrimination is welcome in this state.” (Twitter)