N.C. leaders say they back HB2 repeal; governor alleges stunt

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore announced Tuesday in a press conference that they've agreed "in principle" to Gov. Roy Cooper's proposal to repeal House Bill 2. But the governor said their actions amounted to a "political stunt."

Berger said the governor came to him late last week with a proposal to repeal House Bill 2, which requires transgender people to use bathrooms based on their birth certificate and not by the gender in which they identify. Berger said the governor's proposal included these items:

• Repeal of House Bill 2,

• Guarantee of privacy in bathrooms and shower facilities by leaving regulation of multi-occupancy facilities to the state, returning to the status quo before passage of Charlotte’s bathroom ordinance that women and girls should not have to share bathrooms with men,

• Authorization of local governments to pass employment and accommodation non-discrimination ordinances, provided they are consistent with federal employment and accommodation non-discrimination law, and

• Protection of the rights of conscience by allowing citizens to collect court costs and attorney fees if they successfully pursue legal action proving a violation of their constitutional rights, as protected by Article I Section 13 of the North Carolina Constitution and the First Amendment.

Before their press conference Tuesday, Berger and Moore called Cooper to say they were willing to agree "in principle" to his proposal. However, Cooper then told them he denies incorporating any of the items into any compromise.

"That language that was discussed hasn't been agreed to by anyone," House Minority Leader Darren Jackson said as he took the podium after Berger and Moore.

Cooper released this statement shortly after the press conference:

"It's frustrating that Republican leaders are more interested in political stunts than negotiating a compromise to repeal HB2. While Governor Cooper continues to work for a compromise, there are still issues to be worked out, and Republican leaders' insistence on including an Indiana-style RFRA provision remains a deal-breaker. Any compromise must work to end discrimination, repair our reputation, and bring back jobs and sports, and a RFRA is proven to do just the opposite."

Read more:

N.C. governor offers ‘compromise’ repealing LGBT law

NCAA warns N.C. to repeal HB2 or no championships through 2022

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