North Carolina ‘bathroom bill’ battle
RALEIGH: Amid deepening acrimony, a supposedly bipartisan deal to kill the North Carolina law known as the “bathroom bill” fell apart last night, ensuring the likelihood that global corporations and national sports events will continue to stay away from the state.
The law limits protections for LGBT people and was best known for a provision that requires transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding to the gender on their birth certificates.
It was passed earlier this year after Charlotte officials approved a sweeping anti-discrimination ordinance.
The repeal compromise touted by Democratic governor-elect Roy Cooper and GOP governor Pat McCrory called for Charlotte to do away with its ordinance.
In exchange, lawmakers would undo the LGBT law. But both sides balked: GOP lawmakers cried foul when Char- lotte leaders initially left part of the city’s ordinance in place.
And when the Senate bill called for a months-long ban on cities passing similar ordinances, Democrats said Republicans were going back on their promise.
The troubles in reaching a resolution exposed the intense distrust within the legislature that has only intensified over the years, especially since Republicans took over control of state government in 2013.
Cooper’s victory was greeted last week by Republicans acting in a special session to strip away several powers.
“This has been a long and ultimately frustrating day,” Senate leader Phil Berger said.
He blamed Cooper and Charlotte leaders for sinking the deal.
Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue criticised McCrory for calling the special session a few days before Christmas when there didn’t seem to be an agreement. – ANA-AP