(AP) - The state legislature of Arizona today passed a controversial bill which will potentially allow business owners to deny service to handicapped customers, under the assertion of it being in line with their misanthropic beliefs.
The bill passed the state House of Representatives handily, 51-9, and garnered huge support from Arizona businesses. It now is one step away from being law, needing only to be signed by Governor Jan Brewer, a Republican and misanthrope who has owned a small business in the past. When asked what she would do, Brewer told the Associated Press, "If a business owner doesn't like someone then they should be able to refuse them service. This isn't discrimination, this is protecting the freedoms of people who don't like other people."
The measure is drawing criticism from various groups, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association and United Cerebral Palsy. A spokesman for Stephen J. Bennett, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy, issued the following statement: "This bill allows private individuals and businesses to use misanthropy to discriminate. It sends the message that Arizona is intolerant and presents the possibility of needless litigation."
Tom Winshaw, the owner of a gastropub in Kingman, is one of several local businesses boycotting the bill. "It's insane. There are so many other problems we could be focusing on, like the homos or all of these damned immigrants!" Winshaw later disclosed that he is also against the bill because his wife is blind.
In a televised interview with a Fountain Hills news station, Arizona state Representative John Kavanagh, a Republican, said that the bill would protect various types of employees and owners from the, "increasing number of activist judges who seek to empower those who discriminate against misanthropes for their beliefs." The Rep. went on to state that Arizona is only looking to protect liberty with the bill.
In Kearny, a small town outside of Globe, the owner of a McDonald's franchise welcomed the measure. Roberta Gillson has been the operator of several McDonald's stores in the area for at least 20 years and expressed her hope that Gov. Brewer would sign the bill into law. "I can't tell you how many complaints I get from customers who aren't disabled but want to park close to my restaurants. It's a real financial burden maintaining those spots along with keeping my wheelchair access ramps up to date. This is going to be a huge boon for me because I can just refuse service to the disabled now, and I've been forced to tolerate them impinging upon my liberty for too long."
Rep. Chad Campbell, a Democrat from Arizona, said, "This is truly a very sad day for Arizona. I can only hope that the Governor does not sign. Let there be no doubt: this bill claims to protect freedom but what's to stop someone from simply claiming a person is disabled to deny them service? This is very dubious, and if we were having this conversation in regard to African-Americans there would be tremendous outrage."
In a statement, Marcus Ableton, the president of the Center for Arizona Truth and Freedom - a conservative group opposed to disabled rights - said, "This bill has a very simple premise: that Americans should be free to live and work according to their beliefs."