North Carolina Republicans Reneg On Promise To Fully Repeal HB2

Why are we even surprised?
From: NewNowNext

 Despite assurances from outgoing Governor Pat McCrory, Republican lawmakers in North Carolina have failed to deliver on their promise to fully repeal HB2, the controversial law that bars trans people from using facilities in line with their gender identity.

 On Monday, it was announced the General Assembly would convene a special session today to remove the law, after the Charlotte City Council agreed to repeal its LGBT rights ordinance. After a daylong closed session, lawmakers put forth a new bill today that undoes House Bill 2’s bathroom mandate—as well as its prohibition on ordinances protecting LGBT rights.

But it also creates a “six-month cooling-off period,” during which no North Carolina municipality can pass laws related to employment or public accommodations—specifically “access to restrooms, showers, or changing facilities.”

In a statement, National Center for Transgender Equality director Mara Keisling called the North Carolina General Assembly “a national disgrace.”

“The legislature’s actions today have proven that the people of North Carolina—particularly transgender North Carolinians—cannot have any faith in their shameless lawmakers,” she added.

Governor-elect Cooper, who made HB2’s repeal a big part of his campaign, is telling Democrats not to support the new measure.

Senate D member tells me @RoyCooperNC asked Democrats to oppose R #HB2 repeal bill b/c of 180-day moratorium language #ncpol #ncga https://t.co/s0f5LFicKy

— Nick Ochsner (@NickOchsnerWBTV) December 21, 2016

Dallas Woodhouse, director of the North Carolina GOP, claims Cooper is flip-flopping on his support for a repeal. He added that Cooper is kowtowing to “radical leftists who were waiting for the repeal and start this destructive fight all over.”

Its estimated HB2 cost North Carolina some $400 million, after corporations and sports teams canceled events in the state. More than half of voters said McCrory signing the law was a major factor in their decision to vote against him.

Last week, state lawmakers held another special session to limit some of Cooper’s powers before he takes office.