Powerful Leading GOP Lawmaker Says Anti-LGBT Law Could Become Constitutional Amendment
As if HB2 weren’t controversial enough, now top North Carolina Republican lawmakers are looking to enshrine its discrimination into their state constitution.Â
GOP State Senator Tom Apodaca Tuesday afternoon made the announcement, saying the people should decide. But rather than putting HB2 before voters as a referendum, kind of an official statewide poll – which would also be wrong since it would be voting on rights – Apodaca says it should become a constitutional amendment.
“If it were up to me, I’d just put it out to a vote of the people. Let them decide what they want to do,” Apodaca told WLOS’s Evan Donovan. “Let’s put it on the ballot and get it over with once and for all. If the majority wants this, fine. If they don’t, fine.”
“It could be on the ballot in November. We’d bring it on as a constitutional amendment.”
“It’d be similar to marriage amendment. Do you want this or not, once and for all. Let’s see what people want.”
The marriage amendment, which banned same-sex marriage in the Tar Heel State, did pass, but like HB2, was unconstitutional and thus struck down. Apodaca apparently is looking for a do-over of sorts.
Apodaca, who is “the second-in-command to Senate leader Phil Berger,” also said Republicans are “pretty well dug in,” and will not repeal HB2.
Donovan reports Apodaca and lawyers for Republican Senate leaders are looking into putting HB2 before voters.
Of course, putting it on the November ballot is also a good way to get more people to the polls.
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Image: Screenshot via WLOS