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One year later, lawmakers still divided over HB2

RALEIGH, N.C. — One year ago, North Carolina lawmakers passed House Bill 2, banning transgender people from using the bathroom of their choice.

Since then, HB2 has cost the state millions of dollars in lost business and sporting events.

Events are planned in Raleigh Thursday, including one group protesting some House Republicans who they say failed to follow through on campaign promises regarding the law

A year ago, former Gov. Pat McCrory signed HB2 into law after Charlotte City Council passed a non-discrimination ordinance.

Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statement on the one-year anniversary saying, "Today marks a dark anniversary for our state. For one year now, HB2 has harmed our reputation and cost our economy thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars."

In 2016, the state lost millions because companies, and major sport organizations like the NBA all-star game and NCAA, pulled events from the state.

HB2 was also a major factor in the governor's race, after voters rejected McCrory and elected Roy Cooper.

In December, the city repealed its ordinance, but then lawmakers failed to repeal the state law.

But, with several HB2 repeal bills in the general assembly, Cooper said he's not backing down.

"We remain hopeful that HB2 can be repealed. I think North Carolina is a state of promise. I think our economy is beginning to recover. We can do better if we can get rid of this stain on our state," Cooper said.

Cooper did fire at Republicans in his statement, saying that they're not willing to compromise.

"Legislative Republicans have been all too happy to use their supermajorities to pass damaging partisan laws. It's time for them to step up, meet halfway and repeal HB2," Cooper said.

This week, senator Joel Ford filed a repeal to HB2, and a 30-day cooling off period, before cities can pass ordinances to allow access to bathrooms, locker and shower rooms.

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