Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoes controversial SB 1062

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Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoes controversial SB 1062

By Halimah Abdullah and Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN
February 26, 2014

(CNN) -- Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have allowed businesses that asserted their religious beliefs the right to deny service to gay and lesbian customers.

Opinions have been sharply divided over the politically charged measure, with both sides ramping up pressure on Brewer after the state's Republican-led legislature approved the bill last week.

Brewer said she made the decision she knew was right for her state.

"I call them as I see them, despite the cheers or the boos from the crowd," she said, calling the bill "broadly worded" and saying it could have "unintended and negative consequences."

Brewer said she'd weighed the arguments on both sides.

"To the supporters of the legislation, I want you to know that I understand that long-held norms about marriage and family are being challenged as never before. Our society is undergoing many dramatic changes," she said. "However, I sincerely believe that Senate Bill 1062 has the potential to create more problems than it purports to solve. It could divide Arizona in ways we cannot even imagine and no one would ever want.

"Religious liberty is a core American and Arizona value, so is non-discrimination."

Her announcement spurred cheering and hugs by protesters of the bill outside the state capitol in Phoenix, and drew swift praise from gay rights advocates.

"Discrimination has no place in Arizona, or anywhere else," said Alessandra Soler, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union 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."

Doug Napier, an attorney representing the Alliance Defending Freedom, which helped craft the bill, criticized the governor's decision.

"Freedom loses when fear overwhelms facts and a good bill is vetoed," he said in a statement. "Today's veto enables the foes of faith to more easily suppress the freedom of the people of Arizona."

The measure, known as SB 1062, would have given Arizona businesses that assert their religious beliefs the right to deny service to gay and lesbian customers.

Full story and video: http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/26/politics/ ... ewer-bill/