ATLANTA— State Representatives Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City), Alex Atwood (R-St. Simons Island), Andy Welch (R-McDonough), Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown), Stephen Allison (R-Blairsville), Dusty Hightower (R-Carrollton), Christian Coomer (R-Cartersville), and Barry Fleming (R-Harlem) today released the following statement in response to former Georgia Attorney General Mike Bowers’ recent comments on religious freedom legislation:
“We are extremely disappointed in Mr. Bowers’ shameless attempt to lend legal credibility to the hysterical and baseless political ranting of the extreme left. His ‘analysis’ is not a credible legal document, but rather nothing more than a recitation of the tired scare tactics often repeated by misguided opponents on this issue. Mr. Bowers knows this measure does nothing more than provide the same level of judicial review of laws and state actions as are afforded to citizens under federal law and in over two dozen other states. We expect political zealots to make claims lacking in facts or legal precedent in an attempt to deceive the public into believing religious freedom laws will lead to acts of discrimination, despite the fact such claims have been completely discredited over the two decades that RFRA has been federal law and on the books in dozens of states. However, it is offensive when a fellow attorney engages in these same smear tactics that impugn the motives and intent of the authors of this important legislation. This bill does nothing more than shift the burden off of individuals and on to the government when laws or ordinances are enacted that burden an individual’s free exercise of religion. Mr. Bowers knows this not a new or drastic approach to free exercise cases and that this measure does nothing more than ensure Georgia state and local government laws and ordinances are held to the same standard as federal laws and the law in dozens of states are held to when potentially burdening a citizen’s free exercise of religion. If there were any examples from other states, or under federal, of the parade of horribles that Mr. Bowers suggests will occur, then he would cite them. He doesn’t because they don’t exist. To cloak a political argument on behalf of a paid client in the guise of offering a legal opinion demeans our profession and he should be ashamed. ”
Representative Matt Ramsey represents the citizens of District 72, which includes portions of Coweta and Fayette counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2007, and currently serves as the House Majority Whip. He also serves on the Appropriation Subcommittee on Public Safety and the Ethics, Higher Education, Judiciary Non-Civil, Regulated Industries, Rules, and Ways & Means committees.
Representative Alex Atwood represents the citizens of District 179, which includes portions of Glynn County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2010, and currently serves as the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and as the Secretary of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. He also serves as a member on the Insurance, Juvenile Justice, and Judiciary Non-Civil committees.
Representative Andrew Welch represents the citizens of District 110, which includes portions of Butts, Henry, and Newton Counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2010, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman on the Code Revisions Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development. He also serves on the Judiciary, Juvenile Justice, and Regulated Industries committees.
Representative Trey Kelley represents the citizens of District 16, which includes portions of Bartow, Haralson, and Polk counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves as the Secretary on the Higher Education Committee. He also serves on the Banks & Banking, Code Revision, Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications, Health and Human Services, Ways and Means, and Judiciary committees.
Representative Stephen Allison represents the citizens of District 8, which includes portions of Rabun, Towns, Union, and White counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2008, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Special Rules Committee and the Secretary of the Judiciary Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, and Juvenile Justice committees.
Representative Dusty Hightower represents the citizens of District 68, which includes portions of Carroll and Douglas counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and the Secretary on the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. He also serves on the Governmental Affairs, Public Safety and Homeland Security, and Special Rules committees.
Representative Christian Coomer represents the citizens of District 14, which includes portions of Bartow and Floyd counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2010, and currently serves as Vice Chairman on the Retirement Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and the Banks & Banking, Judiciary Non-Civil, and Juvenile Justice committees.
Representative Barry Fleming represents the citizens of District 121, which includes portions of Columbia and McDuffie counties. He was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He is also a member of the Governmental Affairs, Rules, and Industry & Labor committees.
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