Leaders forecast economic harm by Mo. religious-freedom bill

A group of business and government leaders believe economic harm could come to Missouri if a proposed religious-freedom bill passes.

Gov. Jay Nixon was joined Friday by leaders from S.M. Wilson, MasterCard and Monsanto.

They say Senate Joint Resolution 39 also could have legal implications.

The legislation is designed to prohibit penalizing those who decline to provide goods or services for same-sex marriage ceremonies.

Missouri Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, the bill's sponsor, has said there's no evidence suggesting the law would cause economic losses. He also said it protects vulnerable religious institutions.

Read more from the St. Louis Business Journal.