Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer speaks at a news conference announcing she has vetoed SB1062
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer silenced the vitriolic outcry over Senate Bill 1062 with a veto early Wednesday evening, eliciting relief from opponents who said it would lead to discrimination and hurt the state’s economy and reputation, and disappointment from supporters who maintained the bill’s intent had been distorted.
A somber Brewer announced her decision in a rare news conference in the rotunda outside her office.
“Senate Bill 1062 ... could divide Arizona in ways we cannot even imagine and no one would ever want,” she told the room packed with journalists from around the country. “Let’s turn the ugliness of the debate over Senate Bill 1062 into a renewed search for greater respect and understanding among all Arizonans and Americans.”
SB 1062 would have offered a legal defense for individuals and businesses facing discrimination lawsuits if they proved they had acted on a “sincerely held religious belief.” Opponents argued it would legalize discrimination, in particular, allowing businesses to refuse to serve the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Brewer acknowledged the concerns of those in her party who had supported the legislation, but said they were unwarranted.
“As governor, I have protected religious freedoms when there is a specific and present concern that exists in our state,” she said. “Senate Bill 1062 does not address a specific and present concern related to religious liberty in Arizona. I have not heard of one example in Arizona where a business owner’s religious liberty has been violated.”
The veto came two days after the bill reached her desk and amid a growing criticism, locally and nationally, of the legislation. Similar bills have been proposed in other states, including Idaho and Kansas, but not advanced.
Since the Legislature’s passage of the bill last week, the Governor’s Office had received more than 40,000 letters, e-mails and phone calls about the bill, mostly in opposition.
Rallies against the legislation were held in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson, with many comparing the legislation unfavorably to Arizona’s controversial 2010 immigration law SB 1070.
Apple, American Airlines, Marriott and American Express strongly opposed the legislation, saying it would be bad for business. The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee also called for a Brewer veto amid reports the NFL was looking at other sites for its 2015 championship game.
The state’s Republican U.S. senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake; U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney also urged Brewer to nix the measure.
Five GOP lawmakers who had supported the bill said they regretted their votes because of the backlash and its potential impact on the economy and the state’s reputation.
“It’s really not about the content of the bill right now; it’s about the perception,” said Sen. Adam Driggs, R-Phoenix, who had voted for the bill.
SB 1070 resulted in an economic backlash against Arizona, and a reputation as a state that’s unwelcoming to minorities. Brewer and others made it clear on Wednesday that they hope for a different outcome with the veto of SB 1062.
Supporters struggled to stay on message, while predictions of what could happen if the bill became law spun out of their control. They cited an example in New Mexico where a photographer was sued for refusing to take pictures of a gay couple’s commitment ceremony.
As with SB 1070, the battle became as much about perception of the legislation’s impact as what it would have actually done if enacted.
Conservative advocacy organization the Center for Arizona Policy was behind the bill, along with the Christian-based legal group Alliance Defending Freedom.
“SB 1062 passed the legislature for one reason only: to guarantee that all Arizonans would be free to live and work according to their faith,” said Center for Arizona Policy President Cathi Herrod in a prepared statement. “Opponents were desperate to distort this bill rather than debate the merits. Essentially, they succeeded in getting a veto of a bill that does not even exist.”
Brewer spent Wednesday meeting with supporters and opponents of the bill.
Those at the meeting told The Arizona Republic that the governor wanted to understand what had occurred behind the scenes in the House and Senate chambers, why leadership had allowed the bill to proceed so quickly, how the public debate had developed and how to prevent similar divisive legislation from moving forward without thorough vetting.
McCain, in a statement following the veto, said he appreciated Brewer’s decision.
“I hope that we can now move on from this controversy and assure the American people that everyone is welcome to live, work and enjoy our beautiful state of Arizona,” he said.
Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a vocal opponent of the legislation, said Brewer’s veto helps cement her pro-business legacy.
Over the past few years, Brewer’s agenda has focused on job creation, improving education and, now, an effort to revamp the state’s beleaguered child-welfare system.
SB 1062 served as a distraction from her agenda, political insiders say — and an unwelcome one.
“This was not an easy action for a Republican governor to take, and it reinforced her commitment to making sure that Arizona is a state that cares about job creation and cares about employment for people,” Hamer said.
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers said he was not surprised by Brewer’s veto since he has watched “how hard she has worked to bring business to Arizona.” Weiers expressed relief the controversy was over since the Super Bowl is important to the state, not just Glendale, where it will be played.
Driggs doubted the furor over SB 1062 will have a lasting impact on Arizona’s reputation.
“SB 1070 caused a firestorm, and people stopped coming here for conventions for awhile and then they started coming again,” he said. “There are ways to rehabilitate an image.”
The scene outside the Capitol following Brewer’s veto was celebratory as protestors learned of Brewer’s decision through smartphones and word of mouth.
Mesa resident Danny Bratcher, 26, who had protested at the Capitol three times since the bill landed on Brewer’s desk, said he was “relieved.”
“Frankly, I’m tired of fighting, so I’m very happy right now,” Bratcher said.
Chandler resident Matthew Field, 31, said he believed Brewer’s decision came down to pressure from Arizona’s businesses.
“If there’s one thing you can’t do in this state, it’s mess with business, and that’s exactly what this bill was going to do,” Field said. “The one saving grace of Jan Brewer is that she’s pro-business.”
Phoenix resident Chris Fike said that although he is happy with the outcome, he is setting his sights on coming elections. Residents need to make “sure that we’re putting up candidates that are supportive of a more inclusive and open Arizona and working to remove those who would rather drag our state down,” he said.
Sen. Al Melvin, R-Tucson, who is running for governor, has been among the bill’s biggest supporters. He encouraged supporters to regroup and push similar legislation again this session.
“It is unfortunate that we may to wait until people’s rights are being trampled here in Arizona before we can safeguard them, but that may well be the case,” he said.
Democratic lawmakers have said they are exploring legislation that would protect the LGBT community from discrimination. Currently, Arizona law provides protections based on religion, gender, race and disability, but not sexual orientation.
Sen. Anna Tovar, D-Tolleson, said she fears the state’s reputation may not be spared by Brewer’s veto.
“It tarnished our image, nationally and around the world, and hurt our economy,” she said. “It’s time to move Arizona forward and make sure something like SB 1062 never happens again. It’s time to show the nation and the world what Arizona is really about.”
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