Tag: North Carolina

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Latest Poll Shows Hillary Clinton Leads Bernie Sanders In OH, IL, FL & NC

 

The latest from NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist polls show former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leading in Florida, Illinois and Ohio ahead of Tuesday’s Democratic primaries.

The only surprise here for me is I thought Ohio would be the closer race, but it’s looking like Illinois may be Bernie Sanders’ better hope for a win on Tuesday.

Of course, after last Tuesday’s surprise win by Bernie in Michigan, I’m not completely trusting any poll.

I should note there wasn’t an NBC News poll done for North Carolina which is also holding that state’s primary on Tuesday. However, Hillary Clinton leads in NC by an average of 20 points according to Real Clear Politics poll averages.

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North Carolina Governor Threatens “State Legislative Intervention” If Charlotte LGBT Protections Are Passed

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory

Proposed changes to city ordinances on behalf of LGBT citizens is already getting push back from North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, who says if the legislation passes it “will most likely cause immediate State legislative intervention.”

The concern for McCrory seems to be language that, as part of new LGBT protections, would allow transgender residents to use gender appropriate public bathrooms. The Republican governor is not down with that.

From the Charlotte Observer:

“It is not only the citizens of Charlotte that will be impacted by changing basic restroom and locker room norms but also citizens from across our state and nation who visit and work in Charlotte,” McCrory said in an email to the council’s two Republicans, Ed Driggs and Kenny Smith. “This shift in policy could also create major public safety issues by putting citizens in possible danger from deviant actions by individuals taking improper advantage of a bad policy.”

McCrory, a Republican, continued: “Also, this action of allowing a person with male anatomy, for example, to use a female restroom or locker room will most likely cause immediate State legislative intervention which I would support as governor.”

Driggs and Smith voted against the ordinance a year ago and have been skeptical of it this year. McCrory’s email was sent after Driggs sent him an email Sunday afternoon asking his opinion on the issue.

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North Carolina: House Votes 69-41 To Override Governor’s Veto Of “Magistrates Recusal” Bill

The North Carolina House has just voted to override Gov. Pat McCrory’s veto of Senate Bill 2, which would allow state magistrate’s to “opt-out” of their duty to perform same-sex marriages based on “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

From Equality NC:

With the House’s vote, 69-41, the bill, which now becomes law, excuses North Carolina magistrates and other public officials to perform marriage services for couples with whom they do not agree.

Last week, the veto was overridden in the Senate by a vote of 32-16.

Equality NC executive director Chris Sgro immediately condemned the House vote.

“We are disappointed to see the House vote against the the legal rights and best interests of LGBT people and of the entire state of North Carolina,” said Sgro. “From the business community to local leaders to the governor, North Carolinians have stood up and said Senate Bill 2 is deeply problematic and discriminatory legislation. While it targets same-sex couples, in the process it creates problems for all North Carolinians who seek use of taxpayer-funded public services.”

Sgro added, “The North Carolina General Assembly should be focused on creating jobs and expanding public education rather than legislating against settled laws governing the freedom to marry. Equality NC will be working with its partners to determine whether this terrible bill will hold up to legal scrutiny.”

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North Carolina: Governor Will Veto “Magistrates Marriage Refusal” Bill

Via press release from North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory:

“I recognize that for many North Carolinians, including myself, opinions on same-sex marriage come from sincerely held religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman.

“However, we are a nation and a state of laws. Whether it is the president, governor, mayor, a law enforcement officer, or magistrate, no public official who voluntarily swears to support and defend the Constitution and to discharge all duties of their office should be exempt from upholding that oath; therefore, I will veto Senate Bill 2.”

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North Carolina Legislature Approves Bill Allowing Magistrates To Opt-Out Of Same-Sex Marriages

Having already passed in the North Carolina Senate, the state House approved legislation last night that would allow some state officials to opt out of same-sex marriage duties based on “sincerely held religious” objections.

Court officials could request to recuse themselves for up to six months — during which time they could not perform any other marriages — and the recusal could be based on a religious objection to any type marriage, including between same-sex couples.

The bill passed by a vote of 66-44.

The bill now heads to the desk of Republican Gov. Pat McCrory for his signature.

The governor avoided questions about the legislation yesterday but told a Charlotte radio station in March: “I don’t think you should have an exemption or a carve-out when you swore an oath to the constitution of North Carolina or to the Constitution of the United States of America.”

The Campaign For Southern Equality issued a statement that read in part:

“This discriminatory bill treats gay and lesbian couples as second-class citizens and distorts the true meaning of religious freedom. We urge Governor McCrory to veto this discriminatory bill.

We have the freedom to practice religion in our place of worship and to hold private beliefs. But as Americans, we’ve agreed that we will be governed by the principles of equality and fairness in our public and civic life.

Senate Bill 2 is discriminatory and rooted in animus – it must not become law,” says Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality.

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North Carolina: Gov. McCrory Speaks Out Against “Religious Freedom” Legislation

Speaking on WFAE’s Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory (R) spoke out against a bill in his state’s legislature that would mimic the controversial “Religious Freedom” laws in Indiana, which could allow for legalized discrimination against LGBT folks.

“What is the problem they’re trying to solve?” McCrory said during a radio interview. “I haven’t seen it at this point in time.”

McCrory also denounced a bill approved in the state Senate that would allow magistrates to “opt-out” of performing same-sex marriages if they were so inclined.

“I don’t think you should have an exemption when you took an oath to uphold … the constitution of North Carolina,” he said.

(via Charlotte Observer)

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North Carolina: Charlotte City Council Considers Adding Sexual Orientation To Public Accommodations Ordinance

The city council of Charlotte, North Carolina, is considering today whether to add five characteristics – marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression – to protected classes already listed in the city’s public accommodations.

From Charlotte’s WFAE:

First, it would make it illegal in Charlotte for taxi drivers, restaurants, or any commercial business from discriminating against customers who are gay, lesbian or transgendered.

Seventeen states and more than 200 cities and counties across the country have enacted similar laws. It makes sense for Charlotte to do the same, says Chris Sgro, executive director of the gay and transgender rights group Equality NC.

After all, he says Charlotte is one of the 20 largest cities in the country, “and of the top 20 population cities in the country,” he says, “all of them but Memphis, Jacksonville and Charlotte have these protections.”

Under Charlotte’s proposed ordinance, companies found to discriminate would be subject to a fine and could be barred for two years from getting any city contracts.

Opponents say passing the ordinance isn’t fair because it would mean they would be prohibited from discriminating against gays, and that businesses might have to treat all customers fairly. Apparently, the act of baking a cake or selling flowers for a wedding now constitutes “promoting” same-sex marriage. I wonder if providing a cake for a second or third marriage (we know how the Bible feels about divorce) also promotes un-Biblical acts?

You can listen to the city council meeting live here. But, I’ll warn you, the anti-gay folks are certain to get ugly.

I’ll post Twitter updates as the evening goes along.

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North Carolina State Senate Votes To Allow Officials To “Opt-Out” Of Performing Same-Sex Marriages

https://twitter.com/equalitync/status/570633800897556481

The North Carolina state Senate just passed SB 2 by a vote of 31-16, which would allow state officials the right to refuse to officiate any marriage based on “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

This means a magistrate could refuse to officiate an interracial or same-sex marriage (or any other kind)  if they state that their “sincerely held religious beliefs” conflicted with that marriage.

The legislation now heads to the House.

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North Carolina: GOP State Senator Introduces Bill To Allow Officials to Opt-Out Of Duties

Yesterday was the first day at work for the new state Assembly in North Carolina, and already high level Republican members have filed legislation that would allow state officials from performing same-sex marriages.

Republican state Senator Phil Berger filed a bill that would allow magistrate’s the ability to “opt-out” of performing same-sex marriages (and assistant and deputy registers from issuing marriage licenses) based on “sincerely held religious objections.”

To avoid the appearance of discrimination, however, such recusal would last at least six month AND those individuals would have to opt-out of any marriages, straight or gay.

Via Citizen-Times:

What we’re talking about is trying to protect or at least recognize and provide an accommodation for people who have sincerely held beliefs that are protected by the First Amendment,” Berger said in an interview with The Associated Press. “So what we’re trying to is find a balance.”

Democratic lawmakers and the gay-rights group Equality North Carolina said at a news conference such a recusal measure is discrimination in disguise against gays and lesbians.

“In North Carolina, gay marriage is legal and the magistrates who have sworn to administer these laws must do so equally and for everyone,” said Sen. Jeff Jackson, D-Mecklenburg, a former assistant district attorney. He added that as an appointed prosecutor he couldn’t choose or refuse to prosecute anyone based on personal religious beliefs.

Opponents of the bill say the legislation’s ulterior motive is clear – to discriminate against a group of citizens. Plus, it opens the door for public officials to find other ways to avoid public duties.

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News Roundup: January 10, 2015

News stories you may have missed:

• The creators of WICKED are hoping for 2016 release of major motion picture adaptation of their blockbuster Broadway musical.

• Sen. Marco Rubio doesn’t understand the role of the judicial arm of government.

• Even with HUGE loopholes built in for “religious liberty,” haters in Plano, Texas, are gearing up to repeal the recent protections passed by the city council for LGBT folks.

• A Texas lawmaker has authored legislation that would take away a state employee’s salary and pension if they should ever issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple.

• North Carolina is heading to SCOTUS asking for review of the ruling which overturned the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.

• George Zimmerman, the man who killed Trayon Martin, has been arrested. Again. For the 4th time since his Trayvon Martin trial.