Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to speak about controversial bill
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Source: Los Angeles Times
By Cindy Carcamo
February 26, 2014, 4:18 p.m.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer will make a statement Wednesday evening about a controversial piece of legislation that would give more protection to businesses who cite religious beliefs in refusing to serve gays and others, she announced.
The move comes after an intense national outcry by the gay community, its supporters, business owners and Arizona political leaders, urging the governor to veto SB 1062.
Critics describe the bill as anti-gay, unconstitutional and divisive. It passed the Republican-controlled Legislature last week, largely on a party-line vote.
Proponents of SB 1062 say the bill is being misrepresented. They emphasized that it was not a discriminatory bill and was intended to protect religious freedom. They note that state law already permits businesses to refuse to serve gays and others, and this bill would merely strengthen that right.
The bill was met with quick and widespread criticism — prompting three Republicans who had voted for it to reverse course and urge a veto.
Some foes of the legislation have threatened to boycott Arizona if the bill becomes law, and a national group of Latino lawyers announced Wednesday that it had pulled out of hosting a conference in Phoenix.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-arizona-brewer-20140226,0,77134.story#ixzz2uTi0Kwc0
Read more: http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-arizona-brewer-20140226,0,77134.story#axzz2uThaHI2K
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