JEFFERSON CITY • A business group aligned with Republican lawmakers says a controversial same-sex marriage proposal moving through the Missouri Legislature would have a “detrimental impact” on the state’s economy.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it opposes Senate Joint Resolution 39, which became the subject of a 37-hour filibuster in the Senate last week and put the state under a national microscope.
“You can’t ignore the economic backlash that has occurred in other states considering this type of legislation,” chamber President and CEO Dan Mehan said in a statement. “We do not want that in Missouri.”
The lobbying organization, which represents an estimated 50,000 employers, said it worked with legislators to alter the proposed constitutional amendment to remove the business community from the effects of the changes.
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“These attempts were unsuccessful,” the statement noted.
But Republican sponsor Sen. Bob Onder, of Lake Saint Louis, said, “They seem to be making this general claim that somehow SJR 39 would be bad for the Missouri economy. They’re making that statement without any proof at all.”
The proposal would ask voters if they want to amend the state constitution to shield religious groups and businesses from being involved in same-sex weddings. Opponents say the measure is written broadly enough that it also could result in gay people being denied housing, employment and social services.
Democrats used their filibuster power to keep the issue from being voted on for 37 hours. In the end, however, Republicans forced a vote and sent the matter to the House for further debate.
Lawmakers left the capital city Thursday for spring break. They will return March 29.
In addition to the chamber, businesses such as MasterCard and Creve Coeur-based Monsanto have called on Republicans to drop the effort. The Southeastern Conference, of which University of Missouri is a member, has expressed concern about the legislation and its effect on student athletes. The NCAA, which is holding first- and second-round men’s basketball tournament games in St. Louis this weekend, is reviewing the proposed law.
Indiana lawmakers rolled back a similar proposal after business groups expressed opposition.
Democrats said they hope the measure goes nowhere in the House.
“Missouri has an unpleasant history of writing discrimination into its constitution, but I had hoped we’d moved past it,” said Assistant House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty, D-Kansas City. “Creating a constitutional right to refuse to sell cake or flowers to certain people reinforces hate, not religious belief.”
House Minority Leader Jake Hummel said he is concerned the change could harm St. Louis officials’ attempt to prevent the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency from moving to a site in Illinois.
“I desperately hope that this does not send the wrong message to D.C.,” Hummel said.
Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon is joining St. Louis-area business leaders at an event Friday to highlight “strong and growing opposition” to the resolution.
Republican House Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, said he has asked his members to review the legislation before he brings it up for a vote on the floor.
“We understand that this is going to be an issue that is going to cause intense feelings on both sides of the issue,” Richardson said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.