Senate Bill 129, the Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act, generated controversy and heavyweight opposition from the corporate and gay communities during the recent 2015 legislative session and failed to gain enough support to pass. Today, the bill’s sponsor writes about how the legislation is designed to keep the government from abusing our free exercise rights. He denies it will enable others to mistreat any groups. On the other side, a UGA professor points to the state’s historic failure to protect citizens and says it’s time for civil rights legislation to safeguard all individuals.

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Cooling towers for Units 4 and 3 are seen at Plant Vogtle, operated by Georgia Power Co., in east Georgia's Burke County near Waynesboro, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC