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GOP leaders say they have agreed 'in principle' on HB2 repeal

North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore announced Tuesday in a press conference that they've agreed "in principle" to Governor Cooper's proposal to repeal House Bill 2.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- With the NCAA's deadline looming, lawmakers continued to point fingers over their inability to reach a deal on repealing House Bill 2.

North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore announced Tuesday in a press conference that they've agreed "in principle" to Governor Cooper's proposal to repeal House Bill 2. Berger then accused Cooper of suddenly withdrawing the offer.

“Quite frankly, I was taken aback by the fact that the Governor disavowed ever having made the proposal,” said Berger.

Berger says the governor came to him late last week with a proposal to repeal House Bill 2, which included the following proposals:

- Repeals House Bill 2

- Guarantees privacy in bathrooms and shower facilities by leaving regulation of multi-occupancy facilities to the state, returning to the status quo prior to passage of Charlotte’s bathroom ordinance that women and girls should not have to share bathrooms with men

- Authorizes local governments to pass employment and accommodation non-discrimination ordinances, provided they are consistent with federal employment and accommodation non-discrimination law; and

- Protects the rights of conscience by allowing citizens to collect court costs and attorney fees if they successfully pursue legal action proving a violation of their constitutional rights, as protected by Article I Section 13 of the North Carolina Constitution and the First Amendment.

Before their press conference, Berger and Moore called Cooper to say they are willing to agree to his proposals. However, Cooper then told them he denies incorporating any of this.

Democrats like House Minority Leader Darren Jackson say it was the other way around, saying the Republicans made the proposal to save face and avoid being held responsible for killing the repeal.

“They don’t have votes,” Jackson said. “And they try stunts because it’s all about pointing blame. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.

“The rug got pulled out from under us. Again.”

"That language that was discussed hasn't been agreed to by anyone," House Minority Leader Darren Jackson said as he took the podium after Berger and Moore.

Governor Cooper released the following statement shortly after the press conference:

"It's frustrating that Republican leaders are more interested in political stunts than negotiating a compromise to repeal HB2. While Governor Cooper continues to work for a compromise, there are still issues to be worked out, and Republican leaders' insistence on including an Indiana-style RFRA provision remains a deal-breaker. Any compromise must work to end discrimination, repair our reputation, and bring back jobs and sports, and a RFRA is proven to do just the opposite."

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