Obama Administration Considers Cutting Off Billions In Funding

[Stonecold]

Obama Administration Considers Cutting Off Billions In Funding Over Anti-LGBT Hate Law


The New York Times reports:

The Obama administration is considering whether North Carolina’s new law on gay and transgender rights makes the state ineligible for billions of dollars in federal aid for schools, highways and housing, officials said Friday.

Cutting off any federal money — or even simply threatening to do so — would put major new pressure on North Carolina to repeal the law, which eliminated local protections for gay and transgender people and restricted which bathrooms transgender people can use. A loss of federal money could send the state into a budget crisis and jeopardize services that are central to daily life.

Although experts said such a drastic step was unlikely, at least immediately, the administration’s review puts North Carolina on notice that the new law could have financial consequences. Gov. Pat McCrory of North Carolina had assured residents that the law would not jeopardize federal money for education.

But the law also represents a test for the Obama administration, which has declared that the fight for gay and transgender rights is a continuation of the civil rights era. The North Carolina dispute forces the administration to decide how aggressively to fight on that principle.

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forrest remains defiant: “It would be wrong — even illegal — to single out North Carolina for unfavorable treatment. I’m confident that we will continue to receive this federal money despite the threats from a few in Washington, D.C.”

http://www.joemygod.com/2016/04/02/north-carolina-feds-consider-cutting-off-billions-in-funding-over-anti-lgbt-hate-law/

 

[gb2000ie]

I'll be curious to see if they go through with this little threat. It seems that money is the only thing most politicians care about, so this could be a good weapon.

B.

 

[taurus2904]

The View From The Front

Governor Pat "Fratboy" McCrory hates taking money from Washington, anyway. (He loves taking money from his corporate overlords, Duke Energy -- but that's another rant.)

I hope the Administration does cut funding, even though we need it here.

Add this to corporate reconsiderations, collegiate pullbacks, state/municipal travel embargoes, and already-filed lawsuits well then maybe Raleigh (and the rest of the state) will figure out: It ain't right to be a-hatin'.

Like so many times in so many other municipalities across the country, the LGBTQ anti-discrimination ordinance was challenged (again, successfully) by a conservation movement about bathrooms -- who can can where and under what cirstances. Amazing they can pull it off so effectively, really.

The North Carolina General Assembly, in a costly emergency session, took up Charlotte's (in full disclosure, my place of residence) recently passed order -- and dismantled it in one day. Not only do transfolk have to use the bathroom of their "birth assigned gender", but all LBGTQ-inclusive language was revoked. No rights to public accommodation/service; right to refuse service was specifically allowed.

It's quite embarrassing and dehumanizing (again -- remember Amendment One to forbid same-sex marriage? One of the cases which lead to SCOTUS upholding same-sex marriage?)...like soulless pawns in the political chess games of others.

 

[gb2000ie]

What gets me is that doing nothing to help fight discrimination is bad, but declaring the people's right being respected is a catastrophe that warrants an emergency session is downright malicious, and the people who did it are a thundering disgrace to the human species. They should hang their heads in shame.

B.