Charlotte mayor to NC lawmakers: You move first on LGBT laws

FILE - In this March 20, 2015 file photo, Duke's Jahlil Okafor, left, shoots over Robert Morris's Rodney Pryor, right, during the second half of an NCAA tournament college basketball game in Charlotte, N.C. NCAA President Mark Emmert says it's up to the Atlantic Coast Conference and its members whether to follow the association's lead and pull events out of North Carolina because of a state law that some say can lead to discrimination against LGBT people. In an interview Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, with The Associated Press, Emmert said the association expects to take a financial hit for moving seven championship events and tournament games out of the state on short notice, but how much is unknown. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) FILE - In this March 20, 2015 file photo, Duke's Jahlil Okafor, left, shoots over Robert Morris's Rodney Pryor, right, during the second half of an NCAA tournament college basketball game in Charlotte, N.C. NCAA President Mark Emmert says it's up to the Atlantic Coast Conference and its members whether to follow the association's lead and pull events out of North Carolina because of a state law that some say can lead to discrimination against LGBT people. In an interview Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, with The Associated Press, Emmert said the association expects to take a financial hit for moving seven championship events and tournament games out of the state on short notice, but how much is unknown. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

By Associated Press September 19, 2016 4 min read

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Feeling pressure from the loss of major events, North Carolina Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Pat McCrory have offered a deal to Charlotte: we’ll consider rescinding a state law limiting LGBT anti-discrimination protections, but you must first repeal the city ordinance that led to House Bill 2.

Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts applauded the governor Monday for recognizing the need to repeal the law prompting boycotts of North Carolina, but said lawmakers can rescind H.B. 2 anytime they want to, whether or not Charlotte backs down on its effort to expand protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Meanwhile, she said the council would not reconsider its ordinance at its Monday meeting.

“We are not prepared to add this item to our agenda this evening, however, we urge the state to take action as soon as possible and encourage continued dialogue with the broader community,” Roberts said in a release.

The mayor’s response follows a weekend in which GOP lawmakers and McCrory floated the idea of a special General Assembly session to take the state law off the books. But they said House Bill 2 wouldn’t have been needed if Charlotte hadn’t first overreached.