JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Senate recently passed, with an overwhelming majority, Senate Joint Resolution 39, a resolution that will ask Missouri voters to approve a Constitutional Amendment to protect religious freedom.
“I sincerely thank my colleagues in recognizing the importance of protecting the religious liberty of Missourians at a time when our freedoms are under attack,” said Sen. Bob Onder, the measure’s sponsor.
The resolution, which gained attention when it was debated non-stop for nearly 40 hours on the Senate floor, is narrowly tailored to protect clergy, religious organizations and some wedding vendors whose artistic work would be commandeered into a wedding ceremony in violation of their religious conscience. It protects one’s beliefs concerning marriage between two individuals of the same sex and is viewpoint-neutral, thereby protecting those who believe marriage should be between one man and one woman, as well as those who do not.
Contrary to assertions yesterday by a press release from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the resolution in no way creates a cause of action by an employee against his or her employer.
“Each year the Chamber comes to the Missouri Legislature with a host of requests, and the legislature has been responsive to their priorities,” Sen. Onder said. “It is deeply disappointing that when it comes to the issue of protecting the religious freedom of Missourians, an effort overwhelmingly supported by Missourians, the Missouri Chamber would step away from the realm of business and economic development issues and oppose giving Missouri voters the chance to decide whether to protect religious liberty. They have allowed a handful of corporate elites to engage in fear mongering and misinformation while ignoring the wishes of Missouri citizens.”
Today, the governor held a press conference in St. Louis to speak in opposition to the SJR. The governor claimed that SJR 39 would have a negative economic impact on the state for multiple reasons, including making it difficult for businesses to recruit workers who support LGBT rights.
The governor’s remarks supported gay rights laws, also known as sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) ordinances. These would not be impacted by SJR 39 as there is nothing in the resolution that prevents municipalities or counties from enacting gay rights ordinances, and nothing that prevents the state from enacting a similar statute. For example, Monsanto is located in St. Louis County and the city of Creve Coeur, both of which have such ordinances. Senate Joint Resolution 39 would not affect those laws, other than to provide religious protections for churches, religious organizations and some wedding vendors.
“There is little evidence that LGBT individuals avoid states that protect religious liberty or that they flock to states that have sexual orientation and gender identity laws,” Sen. Onder said. “In fact, recent articles report that LGBT individuals are flocking to typically red states like Texas, Utah, Nebraska, and Kentucky. The reason is obvious. LGBT people move there because they, like everyone else, are fleeing high-tax, economically-stagnant rust belt states in favor of jobs, low taxes and a low cost of living. It amazes me that a governor who was absent without leave on the major issues impacting our state – Ferguson and Mizzou come to mind – decides to use his time and position to actively oppose a resolution favored by over 70 percent of Missourians,” Sen. Onder said.
“Comparing states that have gay rights laws with those that do not is a study in contrasts,” Sen. Onder said. “Our neighbor, Illinois, has LGBT-favored laws in place. Yet, its economy is one of the worst in the country. Contrast that with Texas, in which very few LGBT-favored ordinances are in place, and the economy is booming.
“State and local prosperity has much to do with taxes, regulation, education, infrastructure and labor policy,” Sen. Onder said. “I don’t think protecting the rights of Missourians to actively practice their religion is somehow harmful to our economy.”
If the resolution is passed by the House of Representatives, it would be placed on the ballot for Missourians to vote on.
“Allowing Missourians the opportunity to vote on the issue of Religious Freedom is the right thing to do,” Sen. Onder said.
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