Paypal Cancels NC Expansion Over Discrimination Law
PayPal says it's canceling plans to bring 400 jobs to North Carolina after lawmakers passed a law that restricts protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The San Jose, California-based company said Tuesday it was canceling its planned expansion in Charlotte because of the law, which was signed March 23.
The PayPal announcement is the biggest tangible economic backlash to the state law that more than 100 corporate heads have decried as unfair. They say the law makes it more difficult to attract talent to North Carolina jobs.
Greensboro Council Passes Resolution Opposing HB2
The Greensboro City Council approved a resolution opposing the new state law that revokes legal protections for LGBT people.
The News and Record of Greensboro reports the resolution against HB2 passed 8-1, with Councilman Tony Wilkins casting the lone “no” vote.
Councilman Justin Outling called it a “flat-out bad law”, citing the outrcry from the community and the business world.
McCrory To Recommend Average 5 Percent Teacher Raises
Gov. Pat McCrory says his upcoming budget plan for next year will ask legislators to raise North Carolina public school teacher pay by 5 percent on average and offer one-time bonuses that disproportionately benefit veteran teachers.
The Republican governor says his plan would raise the state's average teacher salary above $50,000 and move North Carolina up the pay ladder among Southeastern states. He also envisioned bonuses ranging from $1,100 to $5,000.
NC Leaders OK $1M On Legal Fees In Abortion Lawsuit
North Carolina statewide elected officials have approved taking more than $1 million from a special emergency fund to pay the legal fees of private attorneys who successfully got an abortion ultrasound law overturned.
The Council of State, led by Governor McCrory, voted Tuesday to take money from the state contingency fund to pay lawyers who sued over the 2011 law and for other expenses the plaintiffs incurred.
Both a federal trial judge and federal appeals court struck down the provision defended by the state that required abortion providers show and describe an ultrasound to a pregnant woman. A judge ordered the state pay the fees and expenses.
Artwork Replaces Confederate Monument In Reidsville
A Greensboro artist's sculpture is taking the place of a Confederate monument in the center of a roundabout in Reidsville.
The News & Record of Greensboro reports artist Jim Gallucci on Tuesday officially laid the roots for his 17-foot-tall brushed-stainless-steel sculpture entitled "Budding Future."
Gallucci says the sculpture is designed to pay respect to the city's history while looking forward to its future.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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