Pat McCrory, you're on notice: Either confirm to the U.S. Justice Department by Monday that North Carolina "will not comply with or implement HB2,” or find yourself in violation of The U.S. Civil Rights Act.
That directive came down from the Justice Department on Wednesday afternoon. If the state doesn't cease and desist, there are consequences, as reported by The Charlotte Observer:
The letter says HB2, which pre-empted Charlotte’s anti-discrimination ordinance, violates Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, which bars discrimination in education based on sex.
If that determination is upheld, North Carolina could lose millions in federal school funding. During the current school year, state public schools received $861 million in federal funding.
U.S. Justice Department officials Wednesday notified Gov. Pat McCrory that House Bill 2 violates the U.S. Civil Rights Act.
The department gave state officials until Monday to address the situation “by confirming that the State will not comply with or implement HB2.”
The letter says HB2, which pre-empted Charlotte’s anti-discrimination ordinance, violates Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, which bars discrimination in education based on sex, and Title VII, which bars employers from discriminating.
If that determination is upheld, North Carolina could lose millions in federal school funding. During the current school year, state public schools received $861 million in federal funding.
Democratic candidate for Governor/Attorney General Roy Cooper released the following statement:
Enough is enough. It's time for the Governor to put our schools and economy first and work to repeal this devastating law. www.roycooper.com
#WeAreNotThis
Update 1: Typical reaction from the right
Update 2: If NC fails to repeal HB2 by May 9, 2016, it’s likely the bill will be taken up in the federal courts:
The Justice Department's letter more than likely sets up a showdown in the federal courts. The law has already been challenged by citizen plaintiffs, but a direct legal confrontation between the state and federal governments could have wide-ranging consequences and, perhaps, be argued more quickly.
Read more at www.wral.com/...