Deal vetoes religious exemptions bill

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a religious exemptions bill Monday morning that protected same-sex marriage opponents.

The proposal, passed by the Georgia Legislature earlier this month, would have barred government penalties against faith-based organizations that refused to serve someone if it would violate a "sincerely held religious belief" or hire a person "whose religious beliefs or practices or lack of either" violated its religion.

Religious conservatives had lauded the proposal, but large employers and gay-rights advocates said the measure discriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people.