Rachel Maddow warns Mississippi may lose billions in federal aid over anti-LGBT law
Rachel Maddow has put out a warning to Mississippi about its new anti-LGBT ‘religious freedom’ law, saying it will cost the sate billions of dollars.
The host on Friday broke the news that the state faces the threat of losing federal funding for transport, housing and urban development.
On her show, she said the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Transportation were both “evaluating” their position on Mississippi’s new law.
While the process is expected to take some months, the state could effectively lose aid if it is found that it goes against federal protections.
“If these agencies find that Mississippi is in violation of federal nondiscrimination policies, then Mississippi, too, like North Carolina, they could use billions of federal dollars, which North Carolina cannot afford, but which Mississippi desperately cannot afford”, said Maddow.
Last week PinkNews reported that North Carolina could face a similar fate, as several federal agencies announced that they were “evaluating” the state after it passed a similar measure.
North Carolina’s bill actually rolled back a local LGBT law passed in Charlotte to protect transgender students who wish to use a gender-appropriate bathroom.
The Obama administration would not need to take the states to court in order to stop funding, but it is expected that the move would lead to a court battle.
The new law, signed into law by North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, bans transgender students in public schools from using their preferred bathroom.
Related: This trans man blew away North Carolina’s new bigoted law with just one picture
McCrory’s decision has already attracted a legal challenge as well as a growing boycott of the state – with at least three of the largest cities in the US opting to ban travel to the North Carolina.
Republican Presidential hopeful John Kasich has said he wouldn’t sign a similar bill in Ohio, where he is Governor.
Georgia’s Governor Nathan Deal recently vetoed a similar bill to that passed into law in Mississippi and North Carolina. The latter two states are facing threats of boycotts from big businesses.
Bruce Springsteen has been celebrated for standing up to North Carolina’s law, by pulling out of a concert set to take place in Greensboro.
