Lawmakers to Meet in Special Session Wednesday to Consider HB2 Repeal

CHARLOTTE, NC – Lawmakers will convene in Raleigh Wednesday morning at 10:00 to consider repealing HB2.

“I think it’s literally, we go to Raleigh. Vote. Repeal it and everybody go back home,” explains Republican State Senator Jeff Tarte. “They’ve been working on it for some time. Trying to to figure out is there a compromise and how do we get both sides to come to the table.”

Republican leadership always said City Council would have to take the first step – to repeal the additions to the non-discrimination ordinance.

But it’s the timing that had some upset.

In a web video announcing Wednesday’s special session, outgoing Governor Pat McCrory accused Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts and Governor-Elect Roy Cooper of playing politics.

“You know the sudden reversal, with little notice after the gubernatorial election has ended sadly proves this entire issue, originated by the political left, was all about politics,” McCrory said in the video.

Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore went further calling outrage over HB2, “.. a political stunt to drive out-of-state money into the governor’s race.”

“Shame on anyone for playing politics with protections for all people,” says Democrat State Senator Joel Ford.

Ford says while a compromise should have been reached sooner, he’s happy about the impact repealing HB 2 could have on jobs and the economy.

“As long as it gets done, I think that’s the most important thing,” Ford says.

Tarte says reaching a deal before the end of the year was key.

“Most immediately is the ACC has got like 150 to 180 tournaments that they were prepared to move out of state in early January,” Tarte explains.