“GEORGIA “…and to those in the business community, some of whom, not all by any stretch, have resorted to threats of withdrawing jobs from our state, they should note I do not respond very well to insults or to threats”.
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The Religious Liberty Bill was created as a way to protect religious freedoms of individuals an businesses.
Deal said he could not find a single example where religious people had been forced to marry same-sex couples or provide services to them that ran counter to their beliefs.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution noted the similarities between HB 757 and the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, “requiring government to prove a “compelling governmental interest” before it interferes with a person’s exercise of religion”. Atlanta held on to its longtime giants, such as Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines, and become home to many more corporations, including UPS, Home Depot and Mercedez-Benz USA.
Deal said he was not bullied into his decision but felt a law was not necessary.
As for proponents of the bill, House speaker David Ralston issued a statement following the veto, saying, “I respect Governor Deal and the thoughtful consideration he brought to this discussion”.
“We just took a poll on this and two-thirds of Georgians support this legislation”, he tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.
Sen. Harbin said supporters of the measure will “work until there’s a change in governor if that’s what we have to do”.
“I will veto House Bill 757”.
“It was a tough decision for him im sure but seeing the outcry from folks around the state all all levels and nationwide let people understand that this was an unnecessary legislation it was something you didn’t want to happen here”, said Hill. I believe that is our best side.
The decision is a win for the LGBT community.
Jeremy Hobbs with Colgay Pride says, “We’ve got so many other needs in Georgia”.
“If it had been enacted fully into law, it would have wreaked havoc on our economy”, he says.
But in this case, the business community’s fight may not be over yet.
NPQ reported yesterday that the state of Georgia was under widespread pressure from entities doing business in the state to dump the religious liberties bill making its way through the legislature towards Republican Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk. “The people of Georgia deserve a leader who will make sound judgments based on solid reasons that are not inflamed by emotion”.
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Lawmakers around the nation are advancing “religious freedom” measures, which have passed at least one chamber in ten states: Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
