Obama Officials 'Are Reviewing' Mississippi Anti-Gay Law And May Cut Billions in Federal Funding

[KamaAina]

http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/gov_bryant_s_anti_gay_law_may_cost_mississippi_billions_in_federal_funds_agencies_investigating

At least two federal agencies are currently investigating if language in new laws signed by North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, and now, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, violates federal law, thus subjecting each of the states to a loss in billions of dollars in federal funding. The Dept. of Transportation, headed by North Carolina native Anthony Foxx, who also happens to have been a mayor of Charlotte, as the first to begin an investigation into the Tar Heel State's new law. That was quickly followed by the Dept. of Education, and then the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

Now, MNBC's Rachel Maddow reports that at least two of those agencies, the Dept. of Transportation and the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are looking into whether or not Mississippi's anti-LGBT "religious freedom" law, signed this week by Gov. Phil Bryant, violates federal laws and Obama administration policy....

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant are not unaware of the consequences of their actions. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is the perfect example of what happens when governors violate not only the will of their citizens and sign into law legislation that violates federal law and public morality. Lat year, Gov. Pence faced an international firestorm, one that harmed his state's economy and his political future.

The same is just beginning for these two governors, and sadly, for the citizens of both states, who can ill-afford an economic downturn, thanks to bad conservative policies.

Chief Obama administration budget official Nelson Muntz commented:

[SheilaT]

1. Good.

It is genuinely frightening how much this country, at least certain parts of it, have been racing back to the 19th century.

[WhiteTara]

2. Sorry for the people. Too bad

they voted the b*stards in.

[AlbertCat]

4. they voted the b*stards in.

You know that NC voted for Obama in '08 and nearly did in '12 so I'm glad to see him taking some effort to subdue the ridiculous legislature.

Have you noticed that, just like in Iraq, every time the Conservatives go about creating a "conservative paradise"... it's a complete mind-numbing disaster?

[WhiteTara]

5. Yes indeed. Our world is in ruins

because of them and I'm terrified they'll have a lock on all 3 branches next year.

[sofa king]

3. Yeah, cut their education funding!

That'll help.

[rpannier]

6. Catch-22 But a good move

There comes a point where something has to be done
I think we should close the military bases there and move them into other states
The Base Support Unit in Elizabeth City, Camp LeJeune and Seymour Johnson Airbase
Then look at closing or downsizing Ft Bragg and moving it some place else

For all the anti-government rhetoric and talk of how government jobs are not real jobs, somehow military jobs seem to count to the anti-government cranks

[AlbertCat]

8. I think we should close the military bases there and move them into other states

It'll be blamed on Obama, not McCrory.

The state should be given some kind of choice..... "this or...well, this...." to squarely put it in the legislature's hands.

[elljay]

9. General federal funds

may be tied to antidiscrimination requirements. I am not sure that this suffices for closin the bases (I have been advocating for the relocation of bases for years). Obama would have to use his executive authority and I am not sure whether his wanting to punish a state explicitly would be allowed under the law. He probably has the authority to do so for other reasons, though, like national security. I would argue that this is a matter of national security because discrimination against members of our military and their families would impair their effectiveness.

[AlbertCat]

7. That'll help.

Well, the lottery money was supposed to go to education, but DEM governor Bev Perdue took a chunk of it for other things.

[retrowire]

10. McCrory you fucking moron.

I voted against you. Let's hope my fellow North Carolinian's have joined me.

[Dont call me Shirley]

11. Somehow, like with sanctions it will hit the working poor and poor the worst.

[MisterP]

12. but I thought the rest of the states mooched of MS! that's what their pols tell em