THE
S TUDENT PRINTZ SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Volume 98 Issue 39
STATE
Senate bill could allow legal discrimination
Associated Press
Ardan Thornhill
person’s right to exercise religion. SB 2681 expounds on what it Printz Reporter means, stating: Gov. Phil Bryant released “’Burden’ means any action a non-committal statement that directly or indirectly Wednesday on the pending constrains, inhibits, curtails or Mississippi Senate Bill 2681, denies the exercise of religion also known as the Mississippi by any person or compels any “Religious Freedom action contrary to a person’s Restoration Act,” which was exercise of religion. ‘Burden’ passed unanimously by the includes, but is not limited to, Senate in January. withholding benefits, assessing Opposition to the bill see its criminal, civil or administrative passage as a backdoor attempt penalties or exclusion from for businesses and entities to governmental programs or legally discriminate against access to governmental facilities.” citizens due to religion, race and The bill provides that laws sexual orientation. cannot impede an individual’s Gov. Bryant told the Clarion- right to exercise religion, Ledger that he is sure attorneys including the ability to act or the in the House of Representatives refusal to act in a manner that is will be looking at the bill and substantially motivated by one’s that he is not prepared to say at sincerely held religious belief. this point whether the bill has The bill goes on, stating it provision in it or not, although will provide appropriate relief he supports putting ‘In God We to those filing claims, including Trust’ on the state seal, which is injunctive relief, declaratory part of the bill’s clauses. relief, compensatory damages Section One of Senate Bill 2681 and the recovery of costs and provides that state action or an reasonable attorney’s fees. action by any person based on Senator David Blount said state action shall not “burden” a Wednesday morning that
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he learned the bill, which Blount said he spoke changes the state’s seal, also with House members about includes language that could removing language related to legalize discrimination. legalized discrimination. “I was not aware (nor was any Eric Bass, a senior political other Senator or interest group science major and member of or citizen that I have talked the LGBTQ community, spoke to aware) of this intention or briefly on the bill’s impeding possible result when we voted ramifications and said he is on the bill on January 31,” Sen. shocked such a bill passed 20 Blount said. “I am opposed Democratic senators. to discrimination of any kind, “The wording itself leads to including discrimination based it being interpreted in many on sexual orientation.” various ways. Someone could
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challenge the Hattiesburg/ Starkville resolutions under it ‘burdening their exercise of religion,’” Bass said. “It’s almost as if it’s so vaguely worded, that anyone could challenge any law under their exercise of religion.” Bass also points out that the bill could provide that religious beliefs circumvent laws, leaving those with no religious affiliation to seek refuge from a law they disagree with. Democratic Party Chairman Rickey Cole acknowledged Wednesday that Democratic senators never read the bill, providing the rationale that they rely on lobbyists, colleagues and the public to determine which bills matter. He wrote, “Democratic legislators are on the front lines defending public education, health care, public employees, worker rights and a steady onslaught from the ALEC bill mill. This is one that (got) through while our outnumbered and underfunded troops were
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