If you’re a feral cat wandering freely through a trailer park in Indiana, the General Assembly has taken action to make your life better.

If you’re a man or woman with a same-sex partner, the same legislature is preparing to take action to make your life more difficult.

It’s certainly heart-warming to know that lawmakers are sensitive enough about the feline population that they devote time and resources during a busy legislative session to approve a bill ending a prohibition against feral cats running freely through mobile home parks, but only if the cats are caught by authorities, then spayed or neutered. We agree that this seems to be a humane measure that Gov. Mike Pence should sign when it reaches his desk.

By contrast, same-sex couples who hold marriage licenses from other states but are now living in Indiana may be subjected to more rigorous rules in filing state taxes if a bill now working its way through the legislature passes.

The proposed bill is a new arrival in the final days of the session. It suddenly — and we would emphasize the word suddenly — appeared this week as an amendment to a routine tax bill. It proclaims that the state will not follow federal IRS policy that recognizes same-sex marriages in the filing of joint tax returns. Indiana law does not recognize same-sex marriage, but nothing requires it to do anything with respect to the federal rules. In fact, the state could just leave things alone and allow legally married couples to file jointly.

Sadly, conservatives discovered the matter and felt compelled to again take action to discriminate against same-sex couples, just as they’ve done when pushing a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions.

The bill, if passed, won’t necessarily cost same-sex couples any money. It will, however, create more tax-filing paperwork. More importantly, it’s another mean-spirited jab at the gay community from those who strive to keep a segment of citizens on the margins of society. It almost certainly will incite legal action against our state. And for what?

Legislators have an opportunity to reconsider this action in coming days. We urge them to do so. They’ve shown they can be humane and compassionate when it comes to stray cats. Why not show some consideration for same-sex couples?
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