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Bill Filed To Loosen Knot Over HB2
Lawmakers have filed a bipartisan bill aimed at breaking an impasse over North Carolina's "bathroom bill," but it's likely to face tough going in the Republican-controlled legislature.
Two Republicans and two Democrats filed a House bill late Wednesday to repeal the law known as House Bill 2, but there are add-ons.
HB2 requires transgender people to use restrooms in public buildings that correspond to the sex on their birth certificates and blocks expansion of LGBT rights in local ordinances and state law.
The proposal would let state legislators continue making the policy decisions over multi-stall bathrooms. Cities could expand other anti-discrimination protections, but a referendum would be required if enough local citizens ask for one.
Bills Addressing Profiling, Hate Crimes Pushed By Democrats
Supporters of legislation to address discrimination by North Carolina law enforcement officers and give more powers for citizens to investigate police misconduct say the measures will promote justice, equality and safety for all if they're approved.
Several House Democrats held a news conference Wednesday at the Legislative Building to promote three measures they've filed.
One seeks to make clear that "discriminatory profiling" based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity is unlawful and requires police to receive routine training on the profiling ban. Another bill allows local governments to create "citizen review boards" with subpoena powers to investigate allegations of law enforcement misconduct.
A third bill would create a new felony hate crime when a perpetrator commits an assault because of bias.
Trial Court Election Changes Considered By House
Some Republicans are set on returning all North Carolina state judicial elections to being officially partisan races again.
A law quickly approved in December during a special election directed statewide races for Supreme Court and Court of Appeals to become partisan starting in 2018. Now the state House scheduled floor debate Wednesday on legislation extending that to local Superior Court and District Court seats next year, too.
Having partisan races means candidates run in party primaries to reach the general election. Unaffiliated candidates could still run but would have to collect signatures to qualify.
Woman Says Billboard's Message Slams Gender Equality
Women are planning to protest a Winston-Salem billboard with a message they say is a slam on gender equality.
A billboard on a highway between Winston-Salem and Greensboro reads, "Real men provide. Real women appreciate it." Boutique owner Molly Grace says she sees the sign's message as an attempt to silence women who want to be seen as equals to men.
Via social media, Grace is organizing a protest at the billboard on Sunday to speak out against its message.
County Commissioner Walter Marshall Dies At 74
Longtime Forsyth County Commissioner Walter Marshall has died.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports Marshall died suddenly of natural causes Wednesday morning, according to his wife, Paulette.
Marshall had served as a Forsyth commissioner since 1996, and recently announced he would not be seeking another term.
Local officials, were shocked by his death, and referred to Marshall as a legend in the community.
Before his role as commissioner, he was president of the Winston-Salem chapter of the NAACP, and was a former member of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education.
Walter Marshall was 74.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.