As was increasingly expected, this evening Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer nixed Senate bill 1062, which would have allowed for a religious exemption to the state’s public accommodation laws — i.e., businesses and individuals would have had legal protection in demurring from providing goods and services to certain customers on the basis of religious objections. A.k.a., gays and lesbians. Via CNN:

Brewer said she made the decision she knew was right for her state.

“I call them as I see them, despite the cheers or the boos from the crowd,” she said, calling the bill “broadly worded” and saying it could have unintended consequences.

Brewer said she’d weighed the arguments on both sides.

“To the supporters of the legislation, I want you to know that I understand that long-held norms about marriage and family are being challenged as never before. Our society is undergoing many dramatic changes,” she said. “However, I sincerely believe that Senate Bill 1062 has the potential to create more problems than it purports to solve. It could divide Arizona in ways we cannot even imagine and no one would ever want.

“Religious liberty is a core American and Arizona value, so is non-discrimination.”

Update: Allahpundit has more coming in the QOTD, but here’s another snippet from Brewer’s rationale for the veto: Let’s get back to our priorities, shall we?

Arizona governor’s signature vetoing #SB1062 in Arizona: pic.twitter.com/7PiNlM7WIz

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 27, 2014

Update: Aaaaand the vid: