The city of Charlotte can’t say it wasn’t warned. When local officials ignored protests and pushed through a wildly unpopular and potentially dangerous bathroom bill, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory (R) promised an “immediate” response from state leaders.
Today, those leaders delivered, convening a special session to undo the damage caused by a radical LGBT measure that throws open public restrooms, locker rooms, and showers to everyone regardless of gender. “It is not only the citizens of Charlotte that will be impacted by changing basic restroom and locker room norms but also citizens from across our state and nation who visit and work in Charlotte,” McCrory said in an email. “This shift in policy could also create major public safety issues by putting citizens in possible danger from deviant actions by individuals taking improper advantage of a bad policy.” Unfortunately, the governor’s tough talk was followed by stony silence, leaving House Speaker Tim Moore (R) and Lt. Gov. Dan Forest to call the session McCrory promised before the ordinance takes effect April 1. Whatever the reason, it’s time for Governor McCrory to finish the job he started. The legislature is doing theirs, by invoking their privileges as state leaders to oversee any so-called “non-discrimination” measures.
According to language released today, “The General Assembly declares that the regulation of discriminatory practices in places of public accommodation is properly an issue of general, statewide concern, such that this Article and other applicable provisions of the General Statutes supersede and preempt any ordinance, regulation, resolution, or policy adopted or imposed by a unit of local government or other political subdivision of the State that regulates or imposes any requirement pertaining to the regulation of discriminatory practices in places of public accommodation.” As of this writing, the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to overturn the Charlotte ordinance, 84 (which included 10 Democrats) to 25. If you live in North Carolina, contact Governor McCrory and tell him to follow through with his promise to keep the Tar Heels -- and their freedom -- safe.
