Phoenix-based Petsmart is among the
companies urging Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to veto a bill which
opponents say would allow individuals and businesses to discriminate
against gay people.
The measure, titled SB 1062, created an
uproar after it cleared the House and Senate late last week.
A Brewer spokesperson on Tuesday denied
reports that she had decided to veto the measure, which states that
individuals and businesses can refuse service based on their
religious beliefs.
Appearing on CNBC, David Lenhardt, CEO
of Petsmart, said the bill was bad for business.
“We absolutely would like to see the
governor veto this bill,” Lenhardt said. “We think it's bad for
Arizona business. We think it's bad for the people of Arizona.”
“At Petsmart, diversity and inclusion
is a key piece of who we are. It's a key piece of our culture. We
fundamentally believe our communities, our customers, and our
associates all deserve equal respect, and this bill does not do that.
And that's why we are absolutely opposed to it and urging the
governor to veto it.”
(Watch
the entire segment at CNBC.)