Calif. Senator Still Wants Vote on Ending Boy Scouts’ Tax Break

The California lawmaker behind legislation to revoke state tax exemptions for youth groups that discriminate on the basis of sexuality said he will continue to pursue a vote on the bill despite last week’s decision by its chief target, the Boy Scouts of America, to allow openly gay members, reports the Los Angeles Times.

State Sen. Ricardo Lara said the Boy Scouts had taken “a step in the right direction” by agreeing to accept gay youths but “falls short of a truly inclusive policy” because it maintained a ban on homosexual adults serving as troop leaders.

The bill, called the Youth Equality Act, was approved last month by a Senate committee and could come up for a vote by the full body this week.