Dayton Calls for Cessation of “Nonessential” Travel of State Employees to North Carolina

On April 2nd, Governor Mark Dayton disseminated a press release in which he notified the public that he has requested that all state employees stop nonessential travel to the state of North Carolina. The request is in response to North Carolina’s passage of a bi-partisan “Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act” bill in which the state established a law that prevents local ordinances from passing it’s own versions of anti-discrimination laws pertaining to public bathrooms and locker rooms. According to the press release the cessation of travel will last,“until the North Carolina Governor and State Legislature repeal the discriminatory law they enacted.”

In his press release Dayton condemned North Carolina’s passage of the bill. Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith echoed the sentiment of Dayton, asserting, “The recent actions of the Governor and Legislature of North Carolina, to roll back laws protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination, are antithetical to our values.”

Dayton’s response to the bill is one that is similar to that of many other democrat governors.  For example, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, Governor Jay Inslee of Washington, and Governor Peter Shumlin of Vermont, have all sought or have ordered the banning of some forms travel for state employees to North Carolina.

Dayton’s press release rightfully raised the question, what are state employees doing on “nonessential travel?” Members of the public offered their opinions and questions  for the Governor on the Star Tribune’s Facebook Page.

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Current North Carolina Governor, Pat McCrory conveyed in a press release that he signed the bill in response to Charlotte’s passing of an ordinance that allows individuals to choose the public restroom and locker room that matches their gender identity, rather than their biological sex. The ordinance was set to go into law on April 1st, 2016.

McCrory has faced fierce backlash nationwide for signing the bill, and he utilized his Twitter account and YouTube page to voice his reasons for signing the bill, and insinuated that it was a common sense move on his part.
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Last week Alpha News reported on two GOP bills making their way through both the state senate and house of representatives that are similar in nature to the bill passed in North Carolina.  Dayton has called these attempts “appalling” and pledged to veto them should either make their way to his desk.