Politics

Apodaca proposes referendum on HB2

By Bill Moss, Published: April 27, 2016

State Sen. Tom Apodaca, the second ranked Republican in the Senate, on Tuesday floated a new idea on HB2, the controversial bill that has drawn widespread protest and economic backlash. He'd put the measure on the ballot and let North Carolina voters decide.

"If it were up to me, I'd just put it out to a vote of the people," Apodaca told a WLOS-TV reporter. "Let them decide what they want to do. Let's put it on the ballot and get it over with once and for all. If the majority wants this, fine. If they don't, fine."

There was no immediate word on whether Apodaca's idea had the support of Senate leader Phil Berger and other leaders of the House and Senate. The Legislature convened its short session on Monday amid HB2 protests inside and outside the Legislative Building. General Assembly leaders have not said whether they plan to take up any changes to the bill, although Berger told reporters last week he sees no need for changes.