Post by pavel on Apr 3, 2016 23:43:36 GMT -6
The House after only brief debate Friday voted to send to Gov. Phil Bryant a bill that proponents say protects religious freedom but opponents say sanctions discrimination against gay people and others.
"We should not be intimidated, not buy into the April-fool's propaganda being disseminated by national media," said Rep. Andy Gipson, R-Braxton. "... This is an anti-discrimination bill."
Rep. Christopher Bell, D-Jackson, said the bill "is not good for Mississippi."
"It's an open container for discrimination across the board," Bell said. "... We are trying to move this state forward. We should be talking about the global economy. We should be talking about educating our students. We should be talking about providing jobs. Instead, we are being asked to legalize discrimination."
House Bill 1523, authored by Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, would allow business and government workers to deny services based on religious beliefs. Ten states have passed or are considering bills in response to last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage nationwide. North Carolina's governor and Legislature recently approved a similar law. In Georgia, Republican Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday vetoed one passed by the Legislature after protests from businesses.
Read more: www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/01/house-sends-religious-objections-bill-governor/82511510/
"We should not be intimidated, not buy into the April-fool's propaganda being disseminated by national media," said Rep. Andy Gipson, R-Braxton. "... This is an anti-discrimination bill."
Rep. Christopher Bell, D-Jackson, said the bill "is not good for Mississippi."
"It's an open container for discrimination across the board," Bell said. "... We are trying to move this state forward. We should be talking about the global economy. We should be talking about educating our students. We should be talking about providing jobs. Instead, we are being asked to legalize discrimination."
House Bill 1523, authored by Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, would allow business and government workers to deny services based on religious beliefs. Ten states have passed or are considering bills in response to last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage nationwide. North Carolina's governor and Legislature recently approved a similar law. In Georgia, Republican Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday vetoed one passed by the Legislature after protests from businesses.
Read more: www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/01/house-sends-religious-objections-bill-governor/82511510/