WEST VIRGINIA: Let's Copy Arkansas!

West Virginia state Rep. Karen Arvon (R-Duh) has introduced a bill that is pretty much identical to the Arkansas law that forbids all municipalities from enacting LGBT rights ordinances. 

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article relating to creating the West Virginia Intrastate Commerce Improvement Act; and ensuring that businesses, organizations and employers doing business in West Virginia are subject to uniform nondiscrimination laws and obligations. (a) No county, municipality or other political subdivision may adopt or enforce a local law, ordinance, resolution, rule or policy that creates a protected classification or prohibits discrimination on a basis not contained in state law. (b) Any local law, ordinance, resolution, rule or policy adopted before the operative date of this act that violates subsection (a) of this section shall be null and void.

Just two weeks ago the smallest town in the state, Thurmond (population: five), voted unanimously to approve a sweeping LGBT rights bill. Similar ordinances exist in several other West Virginia towns including Charleston, the state capital. Arvon's bill would void all those laws.