WS Chronicle

BY TEVIN STINSON 

THE CHRONICLE

Rep. Ed Hanes Jr. has called for a special session of the General Assembly to repeal the controversial HB 2 law, which was passed and signed by Gov. Pat McCrory in the same night earlier this year.

Also known as the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, the law legislates that in government buildings, individuals may only use restrooms and changing facilities that correspond to the sex on their birth certificates. Some say the bill discriminates against those who identify as transgender.

According to reports the state could eventually lose more than $500 million if HB2 is not taken off the books.

Hanes’ cry to the governor and other members of the General Assembly came a few days after the came a few days after the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) decided to pull tournament games from the state because of the law.

“With the decisions of the NCAA and the Atlantic Coast Conference to remove their tournaments games, I believe that North Carolinians have had enough,” said Hanes. “It’s time to admit that a mistake was made.

“The Governor and our legislative colleagues who support HB 2 need to come forward, join hands with the business and broader community, and do the right thing for the state.”

Earlier this, year the National Basketball Association (NBA), announced that the highly anticipated All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be held in Charlotte next year, for the first time since the early 1990s would be moved to New Orleans as a result of the law.

While the state has already taken a number of losses since the bill was passed and more could be on the way. In recent weeks, the Professional Golf Association (PGA), and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) have released statements that they may also be moving sporting events out of the state in the near future.

In a recent press release Hanes, who represents District 72, which includes parts of Winston-Salem said, it’s time to get back to the business of moving our economy and our people forward.

“That cannot happen while folks play politics for votes instead of demonstrating leadership for the people,” continued Hanes. “It’s time for the governor and General Assembly members to fix this mistake.”

People on the Street

Last week, The Chronicle took to the streets to find out what the people of the city thought about HB2 and Hanes’ call for a special session. Here is what the people had to say about the controversial bill and the impact it has already had on the economy.

Question: Representative Ed Hanes says the governor should call a special session to repeal HB2 because of what it’s doing to the economics of North Carolina. Do you agree?

Jashon Jackson

“It doesn’t make any sense that we are losing so much money over something like this. Governor McCrory should do the right thing and repeal the bill.

I think Representative Hanes is doing the right thing but, he can’t do it alone.”

Zay Rivers

“HB 2 is definitely going to make state revenue go down, which means everyone in the state will have less funding.

Especially the rural areas that really depend on state revenue. All Star weekend alone would have brought millions to the state. HB 2 is awful.”

Johnny Gerald

“I understand why people are upset and why Representative Hanes would call for a special session to repeal the bill, but personally, I haven’t seen any impact from HB 2.”

Travis Clark

“The loss of the ACC and NCAA tournaments will have a major impact on our economy. Basketball is a real money maker in North Carolina, I think Hanes is doing the right thing, but he is going to need more help from the General Assembly.”

Andre Lowe

“Representative Hanes is doing the right thing. With HB 2 in place, the state is not a welcome place for others. Something has to be done.”