GOP lawmakers thank North Carolina for bathroom law
Three dozen Republican state legislators from Minnesota have sent a letter to North Carolina’s governor, supporting that state’s new regulations for gender-specific restrooms.
The GOP lawmakers thanked Gov. Pat McCrory “for being a courageous voice for common sense in protecting the safety and privacy of citizens.”
“We hope to enact similar protections in Minnesota,” they wrote.
North Carolina’s governor signed the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act last month, triggering a significant backlash. Critics argue the law is discriminatory to transgender people. It prompted Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton to ban non-essential travel by state employees to North Carolina.
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It also prompted Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr to cancel concerts in North Carolina
State Sen, Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, said the letter was aimed at bolstering the work of North Carolina’s governor. Limmer said the letter was also a response to Dayton’s travel ban protest.
"There are a lot of citizens that are very concerned about the direction of this governor in Minnesota in getting himself involved and embroiled in an issue in a completely different state,” Limmer said.
Dayton said the lawmakers have the right to send letters, but he urged them to “find better things to do” with less than six weeks remaining in the 2016 session.
Here's the letter: