By AP
Frankfort, KY – The Kentucky state Senate, reacting to a divisive comment by Republican U-S Senate candidate Rand Paul, has adopted a resolution declaring any form of discrimination to be inconsistent with American values. Louisville Democrat Gerald Neal introduced the resolution Friday during a special session on the state budget. It was adopted without objection in the predominantly Republican chamber.
Neal, Kentucky's only black state senator, says he took personal offense at the comment made by Paul, who was criticizing the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Paul said in an MSNBC interview that the federal government shouldn't have the power to force restaurants to serve minorities if business owners don't want to.
Neal says what he calls Paul's "extreme belief" has made Kentucky "a laughingstock."