The inclusion of a “religious freedom” resolution in Fayette County’s legislative package to the General Assembly drew public pushback at the Dec. 13 Board of Commissioners meeting.
The resolution urges the state legislature to adopt language similar to the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, to prevent state and local governments from “infring[ing] on the ability of citizens to act in accordance with their religious beliefs.” Nineteen of the 20 citizens who spoke at the meeting, including Fayetteville Mayor Edward Johnson, expressed concern that the measure could have unintended and discriminatory consequences that would hurt the county’s reputation and its ability to attract business investment.
The commission approved the legislative package by a 4-1 vote, with Charles Rousseau opposing.
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