MISSISSIPPI: House Democrats Use Procedural Ploy To Delay Hate Bill’s Arrival On Desk Of Gov. Phil Bryant

This morning the Mississippi House voted overwhelmingly to send the state’s hate bill to the desk of Gov. Phil Bryant. But this afternoon Democrats filed a motion to reconsider, which is essentially a procedural delaying tactic meant to buy time in order to build pressure for a veto. Dominic Holden has more at Buzzfeed:

Bryant did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News’ a request to comment on whether he would veto the measure or allow it become law if it reaches his desk. However, Bryant told WLOX last week he doesn’t think the bill is discriminatory.

“I think it gives some people as I appreciate it, the right to be able to say, ‘That’s against my religious beliefs and I don’t need to carry out that particular task,’” he said. The 13-page measure prohibits the government from “discriminating” against a person and certain organizations for acting on their religious convictions.

It defines “person” broadly — including “sole proprietorship, or closely held company, partnership, association, organization, firm, corporation, cooperative, trust, society or other closely held entity.” The government also could not penalize a religious organization for denying housing, employment, or services.

The bill further protects those providing photography, poetry, videography, disc-jockey services, wedding planning, printing, floral arrangements, dress making, cake or pastry, artistry, wedding-venue rentals, limousine, car-service rentals, jewelry sales and services, or similar marriage-related services.

The bill is now expected to reach Bryant on Monday. Activists have already spent an enormous amount of political capital rallying big business against North Carolina’s just-enacted hate law. They will be stretched thin to generate a similar response to Mississippi’s bill.