The pressure is mounting on Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) to veto a disputed piece of legislation that would allow businesses to discriminate against LGBT individuals on the basis of religious freedom.
State Sen. Steve Pierce (R), who voted for the bill, now says it was a bad idea and wants to see the bill vetoed.
“I screwed up,” Pierce told Capitol Media Services on Sunday. “I’m trying to make it right.”
The Republican lawmaker told the Prescott Daily Courier that he doesn’t like the attention the bill has brought to the state, although he believes the purpose of the legislation has been misconstrued.
“I don’t like the negative picture of Arizona, and I’m on board asking the governor to veto the bill,” Pierce said.
“To say (the bill is) anti-gay is following the feeding frenzy,” he added. “I have friends that are gay and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt them. This is blown way out of proportion and it’s too bad.”
U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) also called on Brewer to veto the bill this weekend. She has until Friday to make a decision.
