Bossier Representative Mike Johnson Marriage and Conscience Bill Fails

A huge crowd showed up to hear the discussion about the Marriage and Conscience bill by Bossier Representative Mike Johnson.

This has been the most controversial bill of the session so far.There was an overflow of support and opposition Tuesday to what could have potentially been the most controversial bill of the legislative session. Stephen Perry, CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau told the committee:
"It sends a radioactive, poisonous message."

The "religious liberty" bill has been sent back to the legislative calendar which effectively kills it with just three weeks to go in the session.

Johnson tells KEEL News the goal of his bill is to protect people with a "moral conviction" that marriage is between a man and a woman from being scrutinized by the state.

HB 707, known as the "Marriage and Conscience Act," would prohibit the state from denying any resident, nonprofit or business a license, benefits or tax deductions because of actions taken "in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction" about marriage.

Critics call it a "hate" bill, saying it does not promote "religious liberty", but rather encourages discrimination in the name of religion. Johnson strongly disagrees saying the bill is more about protecting our Constitutional rights with regard to religion. He says those rights are being chipped away every day.

Other critics say the bill is simply bad business and will mean no more hosting Super Bowls and NCAA national championship football and basketball championships.

WAFB reports:
There was a war of letters between corporate giant IBM and Gov. Bobby Jindal in April over the bill. It could cause friction between the company and Baton Rouge. IBM senior executive James Driesse sent a letter to Jindal conveying the company's "strong opposition to HB 707, the Mairriage and Conscience Act. We are deeply concerned by reports that you intend to support this legislation."

"I think the bill is a good bill because unfortunately, we have seen in other states what has happened when businesses were forced to choose between their beliefs and state sanctions," Jindal explained.

At the State Capitol, Jindal praised the bill, which he listed among the top three items to accomplish this legislative session.

In its brief, terse letter, the global giant warned "a bill that legally protects discrimination based on same-sex marriage status will create a hostile environment for our current and prospective employees, and is antithetical to our company's values. IBM will find it much harder to attract talent to Louisiana if this bill is passed and enacted into law."

"You are confused about what the bill would accomplish in practice," Jindal responded to Driesse and the company.

"HB 707 simply seeks to ensure the state does not take adverse action against a person because of a religious belief in traditional marriage," Jindal added.

In five more paragraphs, the governor sought to win over IBM, concluding the letter by saying, "I thank you again for choosing Louisiana as a place to expand and thrive. I hope you reconsider your position on HB 707."

Mayor Kip Holden questioned why this House bill is getting so much attention, considering all of the major issues the state is currently facing.

In a statement, the governor's office says they are "disappointed" that the bill was returned to the calendar, and that they will be issuing an Executive Order that will "accomplish the intent of HB 707," preventing the state from discriminating against those who believe that marriage is between one man and one woman.