HB 2 Needs to be Repealed in Entirety in Order to Bolster Small Businesses, Economy
Statement by Erik Rettig, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Director for Small Business Majority, on why lawmakers need to repeal HB 2 in full in order to ensure the state promotes an inclusive business environment
We are very disappointed state lawmakers failed to repeal HB 2 in entirety today. This new bill keeps the most harmful parts of the law intact and is just as bad for small businesses as the original version of the law. Small businesses need a full repeal of HB 2, not a rehash of the same legislation.
Unfortunately, today’s repeal bill leaves in place key aspects of the original law, including preventing municipalities from enacting local non-discrimination protections for LGBT people until 2020. This provision is harmful, and is out of touch with what small business owners want. Small Business Majority’s polling found 67 percent of North Carolina entrepreneurs believe the state should have a law prohibiting employment discrimination against gay and transgender individuals. Additionally, 8 in 10 small business owners across the country support protecting LGBT individuals against discrimination in public accommodations, such as restaurants, hotels and other businesses that are open to the public.
If lawmakers truly want to prevent more damage to the state’s economy and small businesses, they should allow local governments to pass non-discrimination ordinances; or even better, the state should pass a law that ends discrimination once and for all. That is the only way to show that North Carolina is truly open for business to everyone.
About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority was founded and is run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong economy. We regularly engage our network of 55,000 small business owners along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 150 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about key issues impacting small businesses and freelancers, including access to capital, taxes, healthcare, retirement, entrepreneurship and workforce development. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.