Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, center, walks behind his spokesman, Clay Chandler, left, as reporters ask him if he will sign a bill that would let government employees and private businesses cite religious beliefs to deny services to same-sex couples who want to marry, following a news conference on a youth jobs program at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Friday, April 1, 2016. Bryant would not say whether he will sign House Bill 1523, noting he had not received it yet and would need to study it first. Chandler tried to block reporters from asking questions by saying repeatedly: "Not today. Not today." (Rogelio V. Solis/The Associated Press)
Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, center, walks behind his spokesman, Clay Chandler, left, as reporters ask him if he will sign a bill that would let government employees and private businesses cite religious beliefs to deny services to same-sex couples who want to marry, following a news conference on a youth jobs program at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Friday, April 1, 2016. Bryant would not say whether he will sign House Bill 1523, noting he had not received it yet and would need to study it first. Chandler tried to block reporters from asking questions by saying repeatedly: “Not today. Not today.” (Rogelio V. Solis/The Associated Press)
JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — The Mississippi state chamber of commerce is opposing a religious-objections bill heading to Gov. Phil Bryant’s desk.
Mississippi Economic Council President Blake Wilson sent a statement to The Associated Press saying House Bill 1523 conflicts with the organization’s non-discrimination policy.
Businesses including Nissan North America, Toyota, Chevron, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Entergy haven’t taken a clear stance on the bill, but say they oppose any legislation that might violate their non-discrimination policies regardless of whether they’re intentional.
Supporters of the bill say it protects religious groups, small businesses and government employees from being forced to violate their religious beliefs by having to serve same-sex couples.
The bill is similar to one Georgia’s Republican governor vetoed last week after big corporations said it could lead to discrimination.
Bryant hasn’t indicated whether he will sign the bill.
BancorpSouth is setting aside a $500 million loan fund aimed at Mississippi businesses, saying it will work with state officials to find qualified borrowers.
Gov. Phil Bryant appeared with BancorpSouth executives to laud the move on March 28. The officials spoke at the headquarters of C Spire Wireless, citing the eight-story office building as an example of a project made possible by cooperation between BancorpSouth and a state program.
“Ensuring that businesses have access to capital is a critical element in positioning Mississippi as the top spot for economic development,” Bryant said. “I applaud BancorpSouth for taking a leadership role in this new effort.” […]
JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — A federal judge Monday blocked Gov. Phil Bryant from compelling Mississippi’s largest health insurer to resume paying its in-network rate to a chain of 10 hospitals.
U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate read a temporary restraining order from the bench saying Bryant didn’t provide enough proof to justify an executive order he issued last week… […]
JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — Gov. Phil Bryant said Friday that he will call a special legislative session Tuesday to deal with a shortfall as Mississippi’s 2016 budget year comes to a close, unless state collections […]
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