Charlotte City Council yanks HB2 off meeting agenda
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The Charlotte City Council is standing by its non-discrimination ordinance in spite of pressure to repeal it. The Charlotte Chamber of Commerce is pushing the council to take it off the books.
The City Council was scheduled to take up the issue at its Monday night meeting, but the item was yanked off the agenda late afternoon.
The City Manager's Office told ABC11 the decision based was on "bi-partisan conversations and consultation with other parties."
The City issued this statement:
The HB2 item on the Charlotte City Council agenda for Monday, May 23, 2016 has been removed from the agenda. There will be no action item on HB2 tonight. The Mayor and City Council will continue to work with the General Assembly and with business and community leaders to address the continuing negative impacts of HB2 on the City of Charlotte and North Carolina. Charlotte remains committed to being a welcoming and inclusive community that is free of discrimination. Economic impact information will be shared with council in writing and provided to the media.
The Charlotte Chamber of Commerce is urging the City Council to repeal its non-discrimination policies. Chamber CEO President and CEO Bob Morgan believes it could lead to reforming HB2.
Read all ABC11 stories about HB2 here
"We fear that if the city council doesn't take a first step, the crushing economy... much of it hurting low-wage hospitality workers ... will continue for years," Morgan said.
Some people are baffled why the chamber would take this position.
"Who brought us HB2? The general assembly. If there's a problem to be fixed, it needs to be fixed here in Raleigh," said Progress NC Executive Director Gerrick Brenner.
RELATED: CHARLOTTE PASSES CONTROVERSIAL LGBT ORDINANCE
However, HB2 was voted into law in response to the Charlotte City Council passing a resolution in February that provide bathroom protections for transgender people. The state said Charlotte overstepped its boundaries.
Some corporations, musicians, the NBA, and United States Justice Department have been calling for a repeal.
Top Republican leaders vowed not to overturn HB2. They say it's a common-sense law that keeps the public safe.
