House Speaker David Ralston on Thursday challenged supporters and opponents of a so-called religious liberty bill to ratchet down the rhetoric while slamming those he said are trying to profit off it.
Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, addressed the controversy during a speech to the Atlanta Press Club. Ralston has been criticized by some for the lack of action on Senate Bill 129 in the House, although hours after he spoke the bill was set for a special subcommittee meeting on Tuesday.
“Before we move forward, we have to understand what the impact of this legislation will be on the rule of law in this state,” Ralston said. “We need to know if this legislation opens the door to unintended consequences of any type, that some may try to exploit.”
SB 129 has been one of the more controversial measures of the 2015 legislative session. Sponsored by Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, the bill has been the subject of multiple rallies and protests from both supporters and opponents.
The bill would require government to essentially think twice before intruding on someone’s religious beliefs. Supporters say it’s necessary to protect the interest of people of faith from having government force them to act against their beliefs.
But opponents claim it would also open the door to allowing businesses to refuse to serve gay couples or anyone else they find objectionable.
Rep. Sam Teasley, R-Marietta, who sponsored similar legislation in the House, declined to comment on Ralston's remarks.
McKoon thanked Ralston for his comments and said he was pleased the bill will get a hearing in a Judiciary subcommittee, but the senator noted that the meeting agenda says there will be no vote. The subcommittee will meet on the 35th day of the 40-day legislative session, meaning there is little time to get the bill passed this year.
“I think we have effectively made the case over the last year that here in Georgia people are having issues with their right of free exercise being properly protected by state and local government,” McKoon said. “I think Senate Bill 129 is probably at least, in the five years I’ve been in the Legislature, the most vetted, tested piece of legislation to be considered.”
Ralston said he takes supporters at their word that discrimination is not the point. But, he said, in a state with an international economy, “closing the door to anyone is closing the door to all.”
He saved his harshest comments for those who have poured gasoline onto the fire and made the issue much more personal.
“There always seems to be a few for whom honest, reasonable and civil discussion is an alien concept that they are simply not acquainted with,” Ralston said. “These pundits-for-hire and self-professed thought leaders are not looking to protect anything or anyone. They seek profit, relevance and attention by preying on people’s worst fears through loud volume, lies and distortions.
“I have no interest in rushing to act on this or any other issue merely to coddle overinflated egos or help grow someone’s bank account.”
While Ralston would not say to whom he was referring, Erick Erickson, the editor of Redstate.com and a host of News 95.5 & AM 750 WSB, has been among the most high-profile critics of the House’s inaction on SB 129.
Wednesday evening, Erickson criticized Ralston, Judiciary Chairman Wendell Willard, R-Sandy Springs, and Willard's wife, who is a state GOP leader.
Told about Ralston’s comments on Thursday, Erickson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he’s not scared.
“I don’t have a list of donors, but the speaker does and a number of them line up pretty well with people opposed to the religious liberty legislation,” Erickson said via text message. “I will be analyzing the speaker’s ‘johns’ on the radio.”
Erickson said he has also recorded a telephone call targeting every pastor in Ralston’s North Georgia district.
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