Grand Canyon Times

State Sen. Janae Shamp (R-Surprise) criticized Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' (D) veto of SB 1250, a bill that "would have required employers to allow employees that complete a religious exemption form to opt out of vaccination requirements," according a press release issued by Shamp.

"I spent my entire career as a nurse, being an advocate for my patients and ensuring that their beliefs are respected and protected," said Shamp. "The reason I'm here at the Senate is because I was fired from my job as a nurse after refusing to get the experimental COVID-19 vaccine. My top priority is this bill because during the pandemic, Americans' medical freedoms were taken from them, myself included. For me, the governor's veto is personal. Not just for me but for every Arizonan who lost their job in the same manner. 

The proposed bill also would have "enabled individuals who were fired from their jobs due to a vaccine mandate to report their employers to the attorney general if they were denied or not offered a religious exemption," according to Shamp. The attorney general would have had the authority to investigate claims and impose civil penalties of $5,000 within 10 days on noncompliant employers.

"The governor wrote a request in her veto letter to, 'Work to find bipartisan solutions that promote the educated and healthy workforce that is essential for Arizona's economy'," said Shamp. "To call those who stood to protect our health from an experimental shot that is proving to be toxic for many is beyond an insult. If we truly care about our health care and getting people back to work, then maybe we should come together to get nurses back into our hospitals."

Hobbs said in her veto letter that the proposed legislation was unnecessary since current federal laws already protect employees' religious beliefs. Additionally, she said that the potential fines may harm the state's many small businesses. 

“This is not about COVID-19,” Shamp said, according to State of Reform. “What this bill is for is to get rid of the subjectivity surrounding religious exemptions, personal beliefs and observances.”