WH applauds Ariz. veto

The White House said Friday it supports Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s decision to veto a bill that would have allowed businesses to deny service to gay and lesbian customers.

“The president does believe that Gov. Brewer did the right thing by vetoing this bill,” Carney said.

{mosads}On Wednesday, Brewer announced that she would veto the bill, which narrowly passed the state legislature.

“I call them as I see them, despite the cheers or the boos from the crowd,” Brewer said in a statement, adding the legislation “could result in unintended and negative consequences.”

“To the supporters of the legislation, I want you to know that I understand that long-held norms about marriage and family are being challenged as never before. Our society is undergoing many dramatic changes,” she said. “However, I sincerely believe that Senate Bill 1062 has the potential to create more problems than it purports to solve. It could divide Arizona in ways we cannot even imagine and no one would ever want.

“Religious liberty is a core American and Arizona value. So is non-discrimination.”

Brewer had come under pressure to veto the bill from gay rights activists, as well as the state’s business community. The Super Bowl host committee, Major League Baseball and Delta Airlines voiced their opposition to the law.