Victory for Religious Liberty in ... California?! Yes!

BREAKING NEWS! Governor Brown Just Vetoed AB 569, a Bill That Threatened Religious Liberty for All Californians All year long, we've been warning you about the terrible threat of AB 569. This bill was a direct assault on the religious liberty of every faith-based organization and church across California. Over the past nine months, our team at California Famly Council: Met personally with AB 569's author, Testified against the bill in committee, Appealed to the press, who finally began covering the story, Met personally with faith-based colleges, urging their opposition, Joined a dozen organizations in a coordinated strategy, Exhorted YOU to ask Governor Brown to veto AB 569. Finally, we asked you to pray for a miracle. California Family Council's Greg Burt, Director of Capitol Engagement, testifying against AB 569 in a March 29, 2017 committee hearing No single one of these items listed above would have been enough to defeat AB 569 by itself. Some days, we do not get to see God answer our prayers the way we hope...but some days, we do!   Today, by God's grace and with your help, we can share news of victory. We are thrilled to report that Governor Brown has VETOED AB 569! If AB 569 had been signed, every single organization in the state (with no religious exemption!) would have faced crushing lawsuits for simply asking their employees to live by biblical values related to abortion, contraception, and sex outside of marriage. Faith-based colleges, pregnancy care centers, and even churches would have been subject to these repressive new regulations. The bill’s author, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher (D-San Diego), and its sponsor, NARAL Pro-Choice of California, said it should be illegal for religious organizations to prohibit behavior related to “reproductive choices.” However, Governor Brown disagreed. In his veto statement, he cited the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which already bans “adverse actions” against employees due to “reproductive decisions.” Critically, Brown noted that FEHA provides a statutory exemption for “religious institutions.” AB 569 attacked these protections, creating new rules in the labor code where there is no religious exemption. Brown disagreed with this assault on organizations’ constitutional rights. “I believe these type of claims should remain within the jurisdiction of the Department of Fair Housing and Employment,” Brown concluded. We cannot overemphasize what a HUGE victory yesterday's veto is for defenders of religious liberty and the sanctity of human life. Thanks to your prayers, actions, and generous financial support, our team was able to help lead the charge in beating back this horrendous attack on the First Amendment and free exercise of religion! From all of us at California Family Council, thank you supporting our efforts. We could not do what we do without you. This is truly YOUR VICTORY!   Serving Him with You, Jonathan Keller President & CEO California Family Council P.S. Today's victory shows that we can still make a difference in Sacramento through focused action, prayer, and outreach. Will you please support us with a special gift today? Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity!