Business & Tech
Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber Leadership Applauds Governor Deal's Veto of House Bill 757, the "Religious Liberty" Bill
Last week, the Chamber's leadership asked the Governor to veto the proposed bill, saying it would hurt the state's economic development.
Officials of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber are pleased Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has vetoed House Bill 757. Citing a “deep concern about the barrage of negative publicity House Bill 757 has generated”, last week the Chamber's leadership sent a formal request to the Governor via letter asking him to veto the proposed “Religious Liberty” bill. The letter was endorsed by the Chamber’s Board Chairman Lever Stewart, SSPC Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman William (Chip) Collins, Jr., Board member Daniel DiLuzio and Chamber President Tom Mahaffey.
“Our chamber is the business voice for a progressive city that boasts multiple Fortune 1000 headquarters, so we are keenly aware of the competitive nature of economic development,” said Collins. “The very real risk that Georgia could lose even one major sporting event, movie production, convention or corporate headquarters greatly outweighed any theoretical protection of religious liberties that might have been afforded by this bill,”.
Board Chairman Lever Stewart added, “A person’s freedom to practice and follow his or her religious beliefs is, of course, protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, so the Chamber leadership agrees with Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson that any legislation in support of religious freedoms is best handled at the Federal rather than the state level.”
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About the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber
The Chamber was formed in 2008 to serve businesses in the City of Sandy Springs and the north Perimeter area. With leadership from an elected Board of Directors, and working in partnership with city government, the Chamber’s mission is to maximize the business success of its members, strengthen the competitiveness of the Sandy Springs business community and enhance economic prosperity of the area. Ongoing initiatives include workforce and economic development, business education, community service and networking opportunities for members. Tom Mahaffey is president of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber. www.sandyspringsperimeterchamber.com