Jackson City Council Passes Resolution Condemning HB 1523
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed HB 1523 into law Tuesday morning; by the evening, the city council of the state capital had approved a resolution condemning it.
Mississippi's Anti-LGBT Law Draws Outrage Nationwide
In the hours after Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed HB 1523 into law, academics, politicians, celebrities, and companies from all walks of life condemned the action, some even calling for travel bans and boycotts.
Mississippi Governor Signs Overly Broad "Religious Liberty" Bill Into Law
Governor Phil Bryant has signed HB 1532, a bill that could allow a range of individuals; corporations; healthcare providers; and nonprofit organizations—including those that receive taxpayer funding to perform social services—to refuse to provide goods and services to same sex couples; single mothers; divorcees; and anyone who has had sex outside of marriage and their families, into law.
Last Week in Review: March 28 – April 1
Mississippi's "Religious Liberty" Bill Passes House, But Is Delayed On Its Way To The Governor
Mississippi Senate Passes Sweeping "Religious Liberty" Bill
Mississippi Set To Vote On Discriminatory Bill
About that Order for Supplemental Briefing in Zubik v. Burwell
Last Week In Review: March 21–25
Because many state legislative sessions have ended (Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming), we can report that 13 of the so-called religious liberty bills we have been tracking are officially dead. Here is some of the big state legislative news that occurred last week and what we expect to see moving this week.
Say You (Don’t) Want A Revolution?: Perkins Proves To Be No Prophet
Georgia Governor Vetoes "Religious Liberty" Bill
In a brief press conference today, Governor Nathan Deal vetoed HB 757, a bill that would have sanctioned discrimination in the name of "religious liberty".
Americans United Hails Georgia Governor’s Veto Of HB 757, A So-Called ‘Religious Freedom Bill’
Somehow We're Still Arguing Over Birth Control In The Supreme Court
Zubik v. Burwell Case Attracts Major Media Attention
Bill That Allows For Discrimination Moves To Mississippi Senate Floor
On Wednesday, a Mississippi Senate Committee approved HB 1523, the misleadingly named “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act.” The state House has already passed the bill and the Senate will likely vote on it very soon. The goal of HB 1523 is to allow discrimination against LGBT couples. But its reach goes much further.
A Sign Speaks: The Message Behind ‘The PILL KILLS’
Birth Control Battle: U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Limits Of ‘Religious Freedom’
People of faith who live in the United States sometimes have to make compromises between their personal beliefs and following the law. As far as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is concerned, there is no obvious way to distinguish when violating one’s faith is acceptable and when it isn’t.
Zubik v. Burwell, Part 6: The Accommodation is the Least-Restrictive Option
Zubik v. Burwell, Part 4: The Compelling Interest in Contraceptive Coverage
Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper outlines the compelling interest in contraception coverage in the fourth part of his series on Zubik v. Burwell.