Politics & Government
Once Again, Confusion Reigns in NC As Lawmakers Talk HB2 Repeal
Hours after NCAA throws down an ultimatum, GOP assembly still at odds with state governor over path forward.
CHARLOTTE, NC -- The folks at NCAA sure know how to get the ball moving down the court. Hours after the NCAA issued an ultimatum to North Carolina to repeal the discriminatory HB2 bill or forgo any chance of championship game consideration through at least 2022, GOP leadership convened to announce they had agreed in principle to a proposal put forth by Gov. Roy Cooper.
North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore called a last minute March 28 news conference that at least one news outlet described as “bizarre.”
The Republican leaders said Cooper presented them at four-point plan to repeal HB2, but then when they agreed, Cooper denied it had ever been made.
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Berger, according to WTVD, said the GOP was prepared to agree to the following:
Repeal HB2
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State and local governments would not be allowed to regulate showers and bathroom facilities, thereby returning to the pre-Charlotte ordinance status quo
Authorize local governments to pass non-discrimination ordinances for accommodations and employment as long as it did not go beyond Federal law
Allow citizens legal protections if they feel state or local law infringes upon their religious liberty and violates “rights of conscience.”
That last provision, however, remains a deal breaker, according to Cooper’s spokesman, Ford Porter.
“It’s frustrating that Republican leaders are more interested in political stunts than negotiating a compromise to repeal HB2,” he said, adding “Republican leaders’ insistence on including an Indiana-style [Religious Freedom Restoration Act] provision remains a deal-breaker.
“Any compromise must work to end discrimination, repair our reputation, and bring back jobs and sports, and a RFRA is proven to do just the opposite,” Porter said.
Following the GOP press conference, civil liberty groups railed against the proposal.
"Legislative leaders need to stop floating bad proposals that would keep discrimination in state law instead of fully repealing HB2," said Sarah Gillooly, policy director for the ACLU of North Carolina. "Tonight legislative leaders have made one thing clear: they will do everything possible to prevent LGBT people from receiving equal protection under the law."
Image credit: Scott Beale via Flickr/ Creative Commons
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