Local lawmakers want voters to decide 'religious freedom' measure

Local state lawmakers support a measure that would ask voters to decide the fate of an amendment to the Missouri Constitution adding greater religious protections for wedding-service businesses and individuals who oppose gay marriage.

The measure also would shield clergy and churches that decline to participate in such weddings.

The Republican-dominated Missouri Senate approved the proposal in March by a vote of 23-7 along party lines after a 37-hour Democratic filibuster in opposition to it.

Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, voted for the measure.

Wallingford said Thursday the resolution, which would amend the state’s constitution, seeks to uphold religious liberty.

He added such liberty is “one of the main building blocks of this great nation.”

“If you believe in the U.S. Constitution, you have to believe in religious freedom,” Wallingford said.

The legislation has moved to the Missouri House. Republican state Reps. Kathy Swan of Cape Girardeau, Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson and Holly Rehder of Sikeston voiced support for letting voters decide.

“I am never opposed to putting an issue on the ballot for voters to weigh in on it,” Swan said.

She said she has received emails from constituents on both sides of the issue, and the Legislature does not have to decide on the merits of the measure itself, but whether to put it before voters.

If approved by the House, the proposed constitutional amendment could come before voters in the August or November elections. The measure does not require approval from Gov. Jay Nixon, who opposes it.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other business groups oppose the measure, contending it would hurt the state’s economy if various organizations and businesses refused to do business and hold conferences and sporting events in Missouri.

But Wallingford, Swan, Lichtenegger and Rehder all question what effect such a measure would have on the economy.

Wallingford accused the chamber of “a lack of courage” in its opposition to the Senate resolution.

The three House members insisted the measure doesn’t seek to discriminate against gay people.

The American Civil Liberties Union and many Democratic lawmakers argue the constitutional amendment would allow business owners to discriminate against gays.

“Discrimination is wrong. We stand united and committed to fighting this bill every step of the way,” Jeffrey Mittman, executive director of the ACLU of Missouri, said in a prepared statement.

The ACLU and other opponents of the measure held a rally at the state capitol Thursday.

Rehder said opponents have the wrong idea about the legislation.

“It in no way gives anyone a license to discriminate against homosexuals,” she said.

Rehder added the measure is “a shield, not a sword.”

The measure would prohibit government penalties against those who decline to provide goods and services for same-sex marriage ceremonies and receptions because of religious beliefs.

“I think there has been a lot of misinformation,” Rehder said. “It is such an emotionally charged topic. It breaks my heart for people to think we are discriminating against anyone.”

Lichtenegger said it should be up to the voters to decide whether the state constitution should be amended.

The Jackson lawmaker said she was “surprised” the Missouri Chamber opposed the legislation.

She said the group should be supporting the religious rights of small businesses.

She said the proposed amendment would give wedding-business owners the choice of whether to provide goods and services for a same-sex wedding or not.

“It does not condone discrimination,” she said.

“I think the voters have the right to vote on this,” Lichtenegger said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

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Jefferson City, MO