In a ten minute press conference, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced that he will veto House Bill 757, the Free Exercise Protection Act. “I do not think that we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith based community in Georgia of which I and my family have been a part of for all
“What must be done eventually must be done immediately” – Jeremy Foley The Governor has called a press conference for 10am this morning. While no reason has been given, the expectation is that guidance will be given on RFRA, and possibly the announcement of a veto could be forthcoming. A livestream can be viewed here.
Speaking to reporters shortly after banging the gavel to close out the 2016 legislative session Sine Die, House Speaker David Ralston said the the House was able to overcome partisanship and work on important measures, including the rape kit bill that was sponsored by Democratic Rep. Scott Holcomb of Atlanta. After House Bill 827 failed
Governor Nathan Deal visited the House and Senate Thursday evening to congratulate legislators and wish them luck in their upcoming re-election battles. He also took a few minutes to respond to reporters questions, which focused on the Free Exercise Protection Act, HB 757. The governor said he had listened to the concerns of both sides
The Georgia Department of Economic Development created the High Demand Career Initiative (HDCI) three years ago to bring business leaders and state leaders together for a productive dialogue. The initiative is more important than ever with Georgia’s rapidly growing and ever-changing economy. No doubt the program has been wildly successful for Georgia’s economy and workforce
Senator Greg Kirk of Americus held a press conference on Tuesday calling on Governor Deal to sign House Bill 757, the Free Exercise Protection Act. The senator, who is the author of the Georgia version of the First Amendment Defense Act and is the sponsor of the Free Excersise bill in the Senate, cited printed
In a Capitol press conference this morning, four members of the House Minority Caucus expressed their concerns with House Bill 757, now known as the “Free Exercise Protection Act.” Reps. Keisha Waites, Park Cannon, Karla Drenner, Dee Dawkins Haigler and Taylor Bennett said that while they were fine with the original Pastor Protection Act as
This week’s Courier Herald column: Another year is upon us where the end of the Georgia General Assembly coincides with Holy Week. Legislators should wrap up their annual business about the time the calendar turns to Good Friday. The difference between this year and last is that this time, legislators will leave town with a
As anyone following the spinning wheel of protest known as the #GAPol hashtag knows, there is a “Religious Freedom” bill sitting on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature. …or veto. There has been a lot of hype and a lot of misdirection on this bill. Many still argue it wasn’t needed in the first place.
Mere hours after the controversial HB 757 was passed, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said companies and conventions have expressed reservations about coming to and staying in Atlanta. Also in jeopardy, Reed said, was Atlanta’s bid for the Super Bowl. A report in The Atlanta Business Chronicle says Reed was “inundated” with phone calls immediately following the bill’s passage: “I
