Failure to Repeal HB 2 Means More Harm for North Carolina’s Small Businesses

For Immediate Release: 
Thursday, December 22, 2016

Statement by Chris Armstrong, Director of Special Initiatives for Small Business Majority, on how HB 2 continues to be bad for business in North Carolina

It is deeply disappointing that North Carolina lawmakers failed to do the right thing yesterday when they allowed HB 2 to remain law. This destructive measure has already cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars and there is no indication it will not do further harm to small businesses in the future as organizations and tourists continue to boycott the state.

Keeping HB 2 on the books is clearly out of touch with the business community. Small Business Majority’s opinion polling found eight in 10 entrepreneurs across the country support protecting LGBT individuals against discrimination in public accommodations such as restaurants, hotels and other businesses open to the public. What’s more, two-thirds of North Carolina small businesses support laws protecting gay and transgender people from discrimination in employment and believe nondiscrimination policies help attract and retain talent.

Small business owners also favor policies that create a safe and inclusive business environment because it’s the right thing to do. So as long as HB 2 remains law, North Carolina will be harming the LGBT community as well as entrepreneurs. Any law that costs so much and offers no gain to individuals or businesses should be repealed in full.

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About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority is a national small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million 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, sustainable economy. We are a team of more than 30 working from our 11 offices in Washington, D.C. and 9 states, with a network of more than 45,000 small business owners and more than 2,000 business organizations, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 125 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 issues including taxes, healthcare, access to capital, entrepreneurship, workforce development, clean energy and immigration. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Press State: 
NC