‘Adios Amazon’: Tech Giant, Bills Spark Debate At Ga. Capitol

Lawmakers and lobbyists in Georgia are viewing various pieces of legislation through the lens of how they will affect Atlanta’s chances of winning Amazon’s business — and the estimated 50,000 jobs expected to be generated by the new headquarters.

Elaine Thompson / Associated Press file

With Atlanta among the 20 cities on the short list to become the home of Amazon’s second headquarters, the corporate giant’s name has become a contentious rallying cry inside the conservative Georgia Capitol.

Lawmakers and lobbyists in Georgia are viewing various pieces of legislation through the lens of how they will affect the city’s chances of winning Amazon’s business — and the estimated 50,000 jobs expected to be generated by the new headquarters.

Two flashpoints have been a “religious liberties” bill — viewed by some as anti-LGBT — as well as a trio of bills that opponents have dubbed “adios Amazon” because they’re related to immigration issues.