The Georgia version, which was itself viewed as a compromise designed to win broader support, would not only have allowed faith-based groups to deny “social, educational, and charitable services” to people based on their religious beliefs—but in some cases, would also have preserved their right to fire people for the same reason. A corporate coalition that included Disney, Time Warner, and other major employers threatened to boycott the state if Deal signed the legislation into law. The NFL hinted the law could affect its decision to hold a future Super Bowl in Atlanta.

In announcing his veto, Deal acknowledged threats by interests on both sides, but he said they were not a determining factor in his decision.

Some of those in the religious community who support this bill have resorted to insults that question my moral convictions and my character. Some within the business community who oppose this bill have resorted to threats of withdrawing jobs from our state. I do not respond well to insults or threats. The people of Georgia deserve a leader who will made sound judgments based on solid reasons that are not inflamed by emotion. That is what I intend to do.

Deal was reelected to a second term as governor in 2014 and cannot run for a third, so electoral considerations may have been less of a factor for him than for other Republican governors facing similar decisions. He had criticized earlier versions of the religious-freedom proposal, so his veto was not entirely a surprise, although he announced his decision well in advance of a May 3rd deadline. The lengthy legislative process, which followed two earlier attempts in previous years to pass similar legislation, stood in contrast to last week’s much more rapid action by Republicans in North Carolina, who rushed through legislation that overturns state and local bans on discrimination against LGBT residents. Governor Pat McCrory quickly signed that bill into law.

Reaction to Deal’s veto fell along predictable ideological fault lines. Ralph Reed, chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, tweeted that he was “extremely disappointed” in Deal’s decision but said the legislature would try again next year and “override a veto if necessary.” Erick Erickson, the Georgia-based conservative activist, wrote that while Deal’s veto wasn’t surprising, it was “completely tone-deaf” to announce it the day after Easter. The Human Rights Campaign and business leaders like Microsoft President Brad Smith, on the other hand, cheered the move.

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