A bill that essentially allows
“Sincerely held religious beliefs” to trump
Constitutional law had a quick turn-around with a veto only a half hour after reaching the office of a governor that had said in a written statement referring to this bill, “we are a nation and a state of laws”
He also said in that statement that "for many North Carolinians, including myself, opinions on same-sex marriage come from sincerely held religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman."
Governor McCrory vetoed the “Sincerely held religious beliefs” bill only a half-hour after his public statement that he would veto the bill, spokesman for the Governor Josh Ellis said.
Now the bill will go back to the legislature where it will take three-fifths of the lawmakers voting in each chamber for a veto override.
Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, who introduced the bill, and House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, didn't indicate whether there are plans to override the veto. They did said they "respect but disagree with the governor's decision."
McCroroy explaining his motives for the veto said, "No public official who voluntarily swears to support and defend the Constitution and to discharge all duties of their office should be exempt from upholding that oath."
The measure arose after several magistrates resigned after federal judges stuck down a North Carolina constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage. That was a move that could have exposed them to facing potential criminal charges or termination of their employment for non-compliance of the duties of their office.
Utah is the only other state to approve similar exemptions according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The bill would ban officials from preforming marriage duties gay or straight for six months after taking the “Sincerely held religious beliefs” option but it did provide for the chief District Court judge of county register of deed to step in on requested marriages.
If the North Carolina Legislature overrides the veto, it will send a strong message to the nation’s capital that at least in North Carolina, Lawmakers believe that “Sincerely held religious beliefs” trumps Constitutional law.