N.C. lawmakers could be moving closer to a special session to deal with Charlotte’s expanded protections for LGBT residents.
Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger on Tuesday named a group of 10 senators as well as Lt. Gov. Dan Forest to work with House lawmakers to explore legislative ways to overturn the ordinance.
The group includes Republican Sens. Bob Rucho and Jeff Tarte of Mecklenburg County.
Republican lawmakers have criticized the changes to Charlotte’s nondiscrimination ordinance which, among other things, would allow transgender people to use the bathroom of the gender with which they identify.
Last week Berger, an Eden Republican, joined Senate critics of the bill in blasting Attorney General Roy Cooper for not acting to overturn it. Cooper, a Democrat running for governor, has since said he believes there are sufficient laws on the books to deal with any problems.
“(I)f he refuses to do his job and protect the safety and privacy of our children, then the Senate stands ready to return to session and resolve this issue quickly,” Berger said in a statement.
House Speaker Tim Moore of Kings Mountain has said there’s support in the House to call a special session.
Lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene April 25. The ordinance takes effect April 1.