NC set to BAN local discrimination protections

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http://www.wral.com/nc-set-to-ban-local-discrimination-protections-/15591421/

By Laura Leslie

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina lawmakers could vote Wednesday to ban local governments from extending anti-discrimination protections for gay, lesbian, and transgender people.

A draft version of the bill circulating Tuesday night sets out a new statewide non-discrimination ordinance that covers only "race, religion, color, national origin, or sex." City and county governments would be banned from passing more stringent local ordinances that might add to those protections.

The draft legislation, dated March 19, would also prohibit cities and counties from raising the local minimum wage – sometimes called a "living wage" ordinance – or from passing any labor laws that are stricter than state law.


Read more at http://www.wral.com/nc-set-to-ban-local-discrimination-protections-/15591421/#U3ITlw7hgCpFFCJB.99

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1. Unique and extraordinarily offensive

"This bill is unique and extraordinarily offensive even in a year where we have seen state legislatures around the country attempt to outdo each other by introducing even more damaging legislation," said Cathryn Oakley, senior counsel to the Human Rights Campaign. "Fortunately, other states have all rejected those bills. Hopefully, North Carolina will also think better of this extreme and offensive piece of legislation as well."