By Gabriela Caminero, Staff Writer
Arizona Legislature has passed a controversial bill that would allow business owners, as long, as they assert their religious beliefs, to deny service to gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and trans-gender customers, according to CNN.
The bill passes a 33-27 vote on Feb 20. The bill is supposed to go to Gov. Jan Brewer for a signature. Brewer vetoed a similar legislation last year; however, he believes that business owners should have the right to deny service to anyone they choose. He believes that anyone should choose who they work with or don’t work with. If a business owner is not interested in doing business with someone then they should not have to because we live in America and it is a free country.
On CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper”, Arizona state Rep. John Kavanagh, a republican, said the bill would not allow hotel clerks or waiters, for instance, to turn away customers unless there were creating a burden on their religious belief.
John Kavanagh, a member of the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative group, opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage, he stated that the SB 1062 protects your right to live and work according to your faith.
The only thing that the Arizona Bill is trying to achieve is to allow Americans to live and work according to their religious belief. It’s simply about protecting religious liberty and nothing else, stated Cathi Herrod, the center’s president.
The residents in Arizona are not the only people who agree with this bill. People here in Florida also think that this bill should be passed.
“I think it is deplorable that the State of Arizona would try to pass a bill. Discrimination is discrimination no matter how you try to sugar coat it. This is the 21 century and we need to get over our prejudices, because everyone is equal in the eyes of God,” said Freshman Leandrous Chieves.
Democrats and business groups have criticized this bill. They believe that it will permit discrimination and open the state to the risk of damaging litigation. The LGBT group staged a protest march that drew about 200 people with signs and messages such as “God created us all equal” and “Shame on Arizona.” Many of the Arizona residents state that there are much bigger problems in Arizona than allowing businesses to discriminate against people.
Anna Tovar, the state senate Democratic minority leader, is stating her concerns regarding this bill. She believes that many Arizonians will find themselves becoming members of separate and unequal class under this law because of their sexual orientation. Also, the bill may open doors to discriminate on race, familial status, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.
The consequences regarding this bill may result in a drastic economic downfall in Arizona. The Greater Phoenix Economic Council wrote a letter urging the governor to veto Senate Bill 1062 saying the legislation will impact their businesses in a negative way. People believe that if Brewer doesn’t veto the bill then the law will ruin the states reputation and it will repel tourist, potential employees and current workers who live in the state. Business developing groups fear that new companies will no longer want to relocate to the state, resulting a huge economical blow. President Broome, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council sent a letter to Gov. Brewer saying that four companies that were considering expanding to Arizona have already threatened to cancel their plans until the bill is vetoed. There are also questions about whether the next year’s Super Bowl would still take place in Arizona if the bill is passed, with the event expecting to create a big boon to the economy.
