Jan Brewer Vetoes SB 1062

Governor Jan Brewer has vetoed Senate Bill 1062.The bill advertised as "religious freedom" legislation resulted in several protests, was denounced by many large businesses, and even some of the Republican lawmakers who voted for the bill have since come out against it...

By Matthew Hendley

February 26, 2014

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Governor Jan Brewer has vetoed Senate Bill 1062.

The bill advertised as "religious freedom" legislation resulted in several protests, was denounced by many large businesses, and even some of the Republican lawmakers who voted for the bill have since come out against it.

See also:
-SB 1062 Protesters Demand Apology From Lobbyist Cathi Herrod
-SB 1062 Uproar: Can Arizona Democrats Capitalize on It in November?

While the bill didn't explicitly give power to businesses to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, that's certainly how it was received. The bill allowed businesses to make "exercise of religion" claims as a defense in court. Gay people aren't a protected under state and federal laws like religion, race, and disabilities are, for example, hence the reasoning that this bill targeted the gay community.

Brewer made the announcement this evening, saying she decided to veto the bill because it's not one of her legislative priorities, it's broadly worded, and there's no real threat to religion that warranted such a bill. Brewer said she didn't get a single example of how this bill was needed in order to protect religious freedom.

Moments ago, I vetoed #SB1062. pic.twitter.com/gdQn0dG2vB
— Jan Brewer (@GovBrewer) February 27, 2014

See New Times' complete coverage of SB 1062 below:

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