Vetoed!
That Arizona "legalize any sort of discrimination on religions grounds" bill that I wrote about earlier this week?
Jan Brewer, governor of Arizona, has vetoed the bill. From Talking Points Memo:
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) announced Wednesday night that she has vetoed the anti-gay bill that has been sitting on her desk since last week.
The bill "does not address a specific or present concern related to religious liberty in Arizona," she said in explaining her decision. She took no questions after announcing the veto.
"I sincerely believe that (the bill) has the potential to create more problems than it purports to solve," she said. "It could divide Arizona in ways that no one could imagine."
Brewer added that the legislation was "broadly worded and could result in unintended and negative consequences."
The bill had drawn an intense national focus on the state since it cleared the Arizona House last week and went to Brewer. Gay rights advocates had said the bill, which would require the government to have a compelling interest before infringing on an individual's exercise of their religion, would effectively legitimize discrimination against LGBT people.
[ ... ]
Meanwhile, the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative group that helped craft the bill, lamented Brewer's decision.
"Opponents were desperate to distort this bill rather than debate the merits. Essentially, they succeeded in getting a veto of a bill that does not even exist," the group's president Cathi Herrod said in a statement. "When the force of government compels one to speak or act contrary to their conscience, the government injures not only the dignity of the afflicted, but the dignity of our society as a whole."
Maybe I can retire my "Arizona: Meth Lab of Democracy" usericon again?
I hope so.
Originally posted at http://edschweppe.dreamwidth.org/169511.html - comment wherever you please.
Jan Brewer, governor of Arizona, has vetoed the bill. From Talking Points Memo:
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) announced Wednesday night that she has vetoed the anti-gay bill that has been sitting on her desk since last week.
The bill "does not address a specific or present concern related to religious liberty in Arizona," she said in explaining her decision. She took no questions after announcing the veto.
"I sincerely believe that (the bill) has the potential to create more problems than it purports to solve," she said. "It could divide Arizona in ways that no one could imagine."
Brewer added that the legislation was "broadly worded and could result in unintended and negative consequences."
The bill had drawn an intense national focus on the state since it cleared the Arizona House last week and went to Brewer. Gay rights advocates had said the bill, which would require the government to have a compelling interest before infringing on an individual's exercise of their religion, would effectively legitimize discrimination against LGBT people.
[ ... ]
Meanwhile, the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative group that helped craft the bill, lamented Brewer's decision.
"Opponents were desperate to distort this bill rather than debate the merits. Essentially, they succeeded in getting a veto of a bill that does not even exist," the group's president Cathi Herrod said in a statement. "When the force of government compels one to speak or act contrary to their conscience, the government injures not only the dignity of the afflicted, but the dignity of our society as a whole."
Maybe I can retire my "Arizona: Meth Lab of Democracy" usericon again?
I hope so.
Originally posted at http://edschweppe.dreamwidth.org/169511.html - comment wherever you please.