In the year since it was signed into law, HB 2 has cost our state thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars.  And this weekend’s NBA All Star Game in New Orleans — instead of Charlotte — serves as a stark reminder of the damage this law continues to do to North Carolina’s reputation and economy. 

Charlotte’s selection to host the All Star game was a moment of incredible pride for North Carolina.  Not only would the NBA showcase our state as a world class destination, but the game would pump an estimated $100 million into our economy in just one weekend.  But because of HB 2, that money went elsewhere. 

In addition to losing the All-Star Game, North Carolina is on the verge of losing NCAA Championship events through 2022.  North Carolina cities, colleges and universities have submitted 133 bids in all kinds of sports in cities large and small.  But we’ve been put on notice that North Carolina will be out of the running if we don’t get HB2 repealed.  College sports are woven into the fabric of our state.  That we could miss out on the opportunity to host these events that are tremendous economic engines is just beyond belief. 

We can show we are a state that’s open for business.  It’s time to put the partisan barbs aside, roll up our sleeves, and work to repeal House Bill 2.  I have presented a common sense compromise proposal to repeal this disastrous law.  I’m doing what’s right, and Republican legislative leaders must too.