Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) Impact on Arizona if SB 1062 Discrimination Law Passed
It has been a week since Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a state legislation that would've allowed companies to discriminate gays and lesbians on religious basis, and Apple Inc. could have played a part in swaying her decision.
Apple as well as companies such as American Airlines and Marriott reportedly contacted Gov. Brewer on Feb. 24 about the financial risks Arizona could face if she signed the legislation (S.B. 1062) into law.
According to CNN Money, Apple CEO Tim Cook did not make the contact on behalf of the iPhone company.
Apple, however, had announced big plans for the state in late 2013. Last November, Cook announced Apple was building a sapphire glass plant in Mesa, Ariz. The Arizona plant would focus on the sapphire crystals utilized on the iPhone 5s fingerprint Touch ID sensor. The plant would bring up to 2,000 new jobs for the state.
"We are proud to expand our domestic manufacturing initiative with a new facility in Arizona, creating more than 2,000 jobs in engineering, manufacturing and construction," Apple said in a statement in November.
"Apple is indisputably one of the world's most innovative companies and I'm thrilled to welcome them to Arizona," Brewer stated in late 2013. "Apple will have an incredibly positive economic impact for Arizona and its decision to locate here speaks volumes about the friendly, pro-business climate we have been creating these past four years. Their investment in renewable energy will also be greening our power grid, and creating significant new solar and geothermal power sources for the state."
According to reports, Apple has six Apple Stores in Arizona.
The Arizona legislation was passed by the statehouse on Feb. 20, with 17 in favor and 13 opposed. Select state senators have, however, expressed regret on voting for it.
"While our sincere intent in voting for this bill was to create a shield for all citizens' religious liberties, the bill has instead been mischaracterized by its opponents as a sword for religious intolerance," stated state Senators Adam Driggs, Steve Pierce, and Bob Worsley in a joint letter.
In the end, Brewer vetoed the bill on Feb. 26.
Super Bowl XLIX was also at risk if Brewer signed the legislation as the N.F.L. confirmed its opposition of the bill.
"On that matter we have heard loud and clear from our various stakeholders that adoption of this legislation would not only run contrary to that goal but deal a significant blow to the state's economic growth potential," said the Arizona Super Bowl host committee. "We do not support this legislation."
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