In a letter sent today to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed by over 80 members of the business community including other trade associations, the Arizona Technology Council urged the veto of SB 1062. If passed, the law would allow business owners to cite their religious beliefs in refusing to provide service to certain people. It is the Council’s belief that this is discriminatory and would lead to profiling.
In unison with other top Arizona business groups, the Council also believes this legislation represents bad public policy with the potential of causing significant detrimental economic impact to the state.
“Arizona needs to let the world know that we’re open for business with welcome arms,” said Steven G. Zylstra, president & CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. “SB 1062 sends the opposite message and will adversely affect our reputation and credibility. We can ill afford to be the target of economic boycotts and lose our competitive advantages in attracting talent, capital and new businesses for a law that we deem is unnecessary and discriminatory.”
The full text of the letter complete with electronic signatures can be found on the Council’s website at: http://bit.ly/1juRv9l.
Earlier this year, the Arizona Technology Council published its “2014 Public Policy Guide” designed to advance its legislative priorities, including those related to equality and discrimination as stated below:
- The Council advocates LGBT equality; supporting the requirement that employees are judged on their merits opposed to their identities, fostering an environment where innovation can thrive. Embracing basic principles of non-discrimination is critical for attracting and retaining a competitive workforce.
The Council will continue to work with its members and other leading Arizona Business groups to ensure the voices of the technology and business community are heard regarding these and other issues critical to the economic vitality of the state.
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