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Arizona Sen. John McCain today applauded the Governor of Arizona for her veto of the “License to Discriminate” bill SB-1062 (via press release):
“I appreciate the decision made by Governor Brewer to veto this legislation. I hope that we can now move on from this controversy and assure the American people that everyone is welcome to live, work and enjoy our beautiful State of Arizona.”
After days of speculation, and a very public backlash to the legislation, Governor Jan Brewer vetoed Arizona’s SB-1062 bill dubbed the “License to Discriminate.”
In the past week, almost 100 corporations that do business in Arizona had publicly urged the governor to kill the legislation. In addition, both US Senators from the Grand Canyon state was well as GOP state Senators who had originally voted FOR the bill came out publicly against it.
Sports Illustrated reported earlier today that in light of no decision from the governor, the NFL was looking into options to move the Super Bowl out of Arizona and possibly to runner-up city Tampa Bay.
Major League Baseball had also issued a statement today pushing for veto.
In a short public statement, Gov. Brewer said that the measure was “broadly worded and could result in unintended and negative consequences.” Which was true, but probably more “unintended” in terms of the fact that the bill showed it’s supporters to be the bigots they are.
What was missing from the governor’s statement was saying she was vetoing the bill because it’s basically immoral and discriminatory.
LGBT advocacy groups were quick to respond:
Human Rights Campaign
With today’s veto, Governor Brewer spared her state from institutional discrimination and economic catastrophe. Make no mistake, there is no better way to doom jobs in a state than by signing license-to-discriminate bills,” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin. “The bipartisan outpouring of opposition to this bill is all the proof you need that this country isn’t turning backwards. Governor Brewer did the right thing in stopping this assault on businesses and the LGBT community and we call on her and the legislature–and governors and legislators in other states–to resist any attempt to give license to discrimination.”
ACLU Of Arizona
“Discrimination has no place in Arizona, or anywhere else,” said Alessandra Soler, executive director of the ACLU of Arizona. “We’re grateful that the governor has stopped this disgraceful law from taking effect, and that Arizona will remain open for business to everyone.”
GLAAD
“Discrimination is not an American value, plain and simple,” said GLAAD CEO and President Sarah Kate Ellis. “Governor Brewer today demonstrated that basic respect for LGBT people extends across party lines, and anti-LGBT bias isn’t just bad politics, it’s bad for business. As other states consider similar laws that aim only to make LGBT people’s lives more difficult, legislators would do well to remember that anti-LGBT laws just won’t be tolerated.”
The Task Force
“We thank Governor Brewer for her decision to veto this outrageous measure — a law that if enacted would be bad for Arizona people and the Arizona economy. In doing so, she has stopped a bill that both cynically uses religion as a smokescreen to justify discrimination and insults people of faith who feel that discrimination is morally wrong. This decision sends a clear message that extremism is totally unacceptable to people of all political persuasions.”
GetEQUAL
“Governor Jan Brewer stood on the right of history today by vetoing SB 1062. It is clear that this bill would have hurt business, caused unnecessary controversy, and — most importantly — increased the suffering of LGBTQ people in Arizona. We are relieved that she has shown leadership and vetoed a bill that is bad for business and bad for the people of Arizona”
Truth Wins Out
“Gov. Jan Brewer avoided going down in history as ‘Jan Crow’ by wisely vetoing this wolf in sheep’s clothing,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “If this bill had become law, it would have been a disaster for Arizona’s reputation and severely tarnished the governor’s legacy”
Lambda Legal
“Arizona’s recent history has taught corporate and civic leaders that discrimination is terrible for business. This religion bill would have reversed the state’s hard-won economic progress by declaring “open season” on LGBT people. Everyone in Arizona deserves respect and inclusion, including same-sex couples and their families, and people of all faiths and backgrounds. Governor Brewer did the right thing with today’s veto.”
Newt Gingrich asked his CNN Crossfire audience to tweet their support or opposition of Arizona’s “License to Discriminate” bill – SB-1062.
88% tweeted that the bill should be vetoed by the governor.
And, following suit, Gingrich tweeted his support for veto.
This thing needs to go down. No one sane thinks it’s a good idea.
The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee has released a statement opposing the anti-gay legislation SB-1062:
We share the NFL’s core values which embrace tolerance, diversity, inclusiveness and prohibit discrimination.
In addition, a key part of the mission for the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee is to promote the economic vitality of Arizona.
On that matter we have heard loud and clear from our various stakeholders that adoption of this legislation would not only run contrary to that goal but deal a significant blow to the state’s economic growth potential.
We do not support this legislation. Instead, we look forward to continuing to promote the
NFL’s values while focusing on the economic momentum apparent in Arizona and capturing the positive worldwide attention associated with hosting Super Bowl XLIX.
If not for the fact that SB-1062 is such a hideous bill, you could almost feel sorry for the politically tone deaf state Senator Al Melvin here.
With no facts or reasons to support the bill, he digs a deeper and deeper hole the more he talks, especially when he states that “discrimination doesn’t exist in Arizona.”
Anderson Cooper interviews Arizona state senator Al Melvin Monday night regarding the state’s proposed legislation to allow businesses to exercise their religious freedom to discriminate against LGBT citizens.
Melvin insisted, “It’s nothing more and nothing less than protecting religious freedom in our state.”
Cooper noted how Arizona doesn’t expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and grilled Melvin on why, then, they would need to reaffirm a right that isn’t under threat in the state in the first place.
Cooper asked, “Can you give me a specific example of someone in Arizona who’s been forced to do something against their religious belief or successfully sued because of their faith?”
Melvin said he could not, arguing the bill is “preemptive.”
Watch the interview below.
And the chorus of corporations calling for a veto of SB-1062 gets that much louder as Apple asks Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to veto the highly controversial legislation:
Brewer spokesman Andrew Wilder said the governor spoke on the phone with the company.
The request comes as Apple prepares to open a new sapphire glass manufacturing plant in Mesa. The plant, which Brewer and other political leaders have touted as economic development coup for Arizona, will employ about 700 full-time employees.
With its veto request, Apple joins other anti-SB1062 business groups that have asked Brewer to veto the controversial bill. The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Technology Council, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce came out against the bill the day after the Legislature passed it. The influential Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Greater Phoenix Leadership have since sought a veto from Brewer as well.
Both Arizona Senators McCain and Flake have urged a veto.
Three Republican state senators who originally voted for the bill have decided it was a mistake.
Monday morning, I reported that Arizona GOP state Sen. Mike Pierce has changed course regarding the “License to Discriminate” bill in Arizona and called for Gov. Brewer to veto of the hate bill that he voted for last week.
Now, two more GOP state senators have joined him. Via LGBTQ Nation:
Sen. Bob Worsley says he and Sens. Adam Driggs and Steve Pierce sent a letter to Brewer Monday asking her to strike down the legislation allowing business owners with strongly held religious beliefs to refuse service to gays. Worsley says he was uncomfortable when he voted for the bill. Both he and Pierce called their votes a mistake. The legislation passed last week. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is requesting a veto because of fears it will hurt tourism.
LGBTQ Nation points out that if these three had voted against the bill in the first place – it would have failed.
(via JMG)