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| Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer speaks at a news conference announcing she has vetoed SB1062, a bill designed to give added protection from lawsuits to people who assert their religious beliefs in refusing service to gays, at the Arizona Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, in Phoenix. |
PHOENIX (AP)
-- Gov. Jan Brewer on Wednesday vetoed a Republican bill that set off a
national debate over gay rights, religion and discrimination and
subjected Arizona to blistering criticism from major corporations and
political leaders from both parties.
Loud cheers erupted outside the Capitol building immediately after Brewer made her announcement.
"My
agenda is to sign into law legislation that advances Arizona," Brewer
said at a news conference. "I call them like I see them despite the
tears or the boos from the crowd. After weighing all the arguments, I
have vetoed Senate Bill 1062 moments ago."
The
Republican governor said she gave the legislation careful deliberation
in talking to her lawyers, citizens, businesses and lawmakers on both
sides of the debate. Her office said it received more than 40,000 calls
and emails on the legislation, with most of them urging a veto.
Brewer
said the bill "could divide Arizona in ways we could not even imagine
and no one would ever want." The bill was broadly worded and could
result in unintended negative consequences, she added.
The
bill backed by Republicans in the Legislature was designed to give
added protection from lawsuits to people who assert their religious
beliefs in refusing service to gays. But opponents called it an open
attack on gays that invited discrimination.
The
bill thrust Arizona into the national spotlight last week after both
chambers of the state legislature approved it. As the days passed, more
and more groups, politicians and average citizens weighed in against
Senate Bill 1062. Many took to social media to criticize the bill.
Prominent
business groups said it would be another black eye for the state that
saw a national backlash over its 2010 immigration-crackdown law, SB1070,
and warned that businesses looking to expand into the state may not do
so if bill became law.
Companies such as Apple
Inc. and American Airlines and politicians including GOP Sen. John
McCain and former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney were among
those who urged Brewer to veto the legislation. The Arizona Super Bowl
Host Committee, which is overseeing preparations for the 2015 Super Bowl
in Glendale, Ariz., came out with a statement against the legislation.
The Hispanic National Bar Association on Wednesday said it cancelled its
2015 convention in Phoenix over the legislation.
In
addition, three Republicans who had voted for the bill reversed course
and said it was a mistake. They said in a letter to Brewer that while
the intent of their vote "was to create a shield for all citizens'
religious liberties, the bill has been mischaracterized by its opponents
as a sword for religious intolerance."
SB
1062 allows people to claim their religious beliefs as a defense against
claims of discrimination. Backers cite a New Mexico Supreme Court
decision that allowed a gay couple to sue a photographer who refused to
document their wedding, even though the law that allowed that suit
doesn't exist in Arizona.
Sen. Al Melvin, a Republican who is running for governor and voted for the bill, said he is disappointed by the veto.
"I
am sorry to hear that Governor Brewer has vetoed this bill. I'm sure it
was a difficult choice for her, but it is a sad day when protecting
liberty is considered controversial," Melvin said.
Democrats
said it was a veiled attempt to legally discriminate against gay people
and could allow people to break nearly any law and cite religious
freedom as a defense.
Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, said would remain vigilant of other legislation that could also target gays.
"The effect is that again we got a black eye," Gallego said. "But it also shows that Arizona can stand united"
Democratic
leaders in the legislature thanked the governor for vetoing the bill.
But they said it should not have ever made it to her desk.
"It's
time to move Arizona forward and make sure that something like Senate
Bill 1062 never happens again," Senate Minority Leader Anna Tovar said.
"It's time to show the nation and the world what Arizona is truly
about."
The Center for Arizona Policy helped
write the bill and argued it was needed to protect against increasingly
activist federal courts and simply clarifies existing state law.
"It
is truly a disappointing day in our state and nation when lies and
personal attacks can over shadow the truth," said Cathi Herrod, the
leader of the group.
Similar
religious-protection legislation has been introduced in Ohio,
Mississippi, Idaho, South Dakota, Tennessee and Oklahoma, but Arizona's
plan is the only one that has been passed by a state legislature. The
legislation was withdrawn in Ohio on Wednesday, and similar bills are
stalled in Idaho and Kansas.
The push in
Arizona comes as an increasing number of conservative states grapple
with ways to counter the growing legality of gay marriage. Arizona has a
ban on gay marriage.
Federal judges have recently struck down those bans in Utah, Oklahoma and Virginia, but those decisions are under appeal.
On
Wednesday, a federal judge declared Texas' ban on gay marriage
unconstitutional, but he left it in place until an appeals court can
rule on the case.
