Georgia Governor Vetoes Religious Liberty Bill After Business Backlash


religious liberty

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Georgia Governor Nathan Deal (pictured) today vetoed the controversial religious liberty bill that had been passed by Georgia lawmakers on March 16, 2016. That veto came after nearly two weeks of increasing opposition by business leaders.

The legislation would have allowed faith-based organizations to deny services to those who violate their religious beliefs. It also would allow organizations to fire employees who did not hold those same beliefs.

The bill was backed by religious conservatives. Upon passing the Georgia Assembly it was quickly opposed not only by gay rights and social activist groups, but also by businesses and business groups.

Business leaders feared that customers, business partners and others would boycott business interests in the state. The Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce, the local convention bureau, Disney, Apple, Time Warner and Salesforce were among those opposing the bill.

The fight spilled over onto Twitter. Tech leaders such as Jeremy Stoppelman, the co-founder and CEO of Yelp, tweeted urging the governor to veto the bill:

MailChimp, the email marketing service favored by small businesses and startup entrepreneurs, also publicly opposed the religious liberty bill.  MailChimp, noted for its socially responsible business values, stated through a spokesperson:

“As a privately held company, we don’t normally comment on public policy. However: We do not support SB 129 or any other discriminatory legislation. We ask Georgia’s lawmakers to join the voices in their community that are saying no to discrimination and intolerance. We’re extremely concerned that this legislation would be harmful to people, cities, and businesses in our state. It also opposes many of our own company’s values: inclusiveness, diversity, equality, and respect.”

But according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution website, the bill also had equally fervent supporters. A story by Greg Bluestein noted:

“It was far from a one-sided fight, however. The conservative Faith and Freedom Coalition launched robo-calls backing the measure, and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board marshaled its 1.3 million members to rally around the bill. State Sen. Josh McKoon and other prominent supporters cast it as a way to protect faith-based beliefs.”

Upon vetoing the religious liberty bill, Governor Deal stated, “Our people work side by side without regard to the color of our skin, or the religion we adhere to. … I intend to do my part to keep it that way.”

Following the veto, thanks poured in from business leaders.

Atlanta-based Brent Leary, industry analyst and partner at CRM Essentials, told us in an interview that the governor’s veto was “the right thing to do, from both from a business perspective and a human rights perspective.”

Leary went on to add,  “A bill like this would do serious harm to Georgia’s economy, as we depend substantially on tourism and convention business. And companies were lining up against this bill. Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce.com was leading the charge, but when the NFL says this kind of bill would impact Atlanta’s chances to land the Super Bowl, I don’t think the Governor had any choice but to veto.”

Image: Gov. Deal website

3 Comments ▼

Anita Campbell Anita Campbell is the Founder, CEO and Publisher of Small Business Trends and has been following trends in small businesses since 2003. She is the owner of BizSugar, a social media site for small businesses.

3 Reactions
  1. As a free-thinker and a pro-business advocate, I say that private owners of companies should be free to hire whoever they want. I will vote accordingly, with my wallet. That’s why I wouldn’t go to the “chicken place” that has closed on Sundays…. 😉

  2. Thank you Governor Deal.
    You have done the right thing for all citizens and businesses in Georgia. You have sent a strong message to those who say the GOP = discrimination, prejudice and hate. It does not.

    Your critics say you “listen to Hollywood and Wall Street” but they need to wake up and look around them. Georgia is a “Hollywood” in the 21st century. There are massive movie studios and production facilities in Georgia now employing thousands of people and pumping millions back into Georgia –These are GEORGIA employers. A wise thinker knows you are not concerned about Los Angeles.

    The Home Depot, Coca Cola, UPS, Delta Air Lines, Salesforce, etc. etc. —-These are GEORGIA employers also. Many Georgians’ livelihoods, families and financial security are at stake.

    It is clear that you are sincerely concerned about everyone in the state, employment in the state and business in the state.

    Thank you again.

  3. We didn’t elect you Pastor, Priest, Rabi or Imam. Thanks for being a Governor!
    You did the right thing.