Texas eyes North Carolina-inspired bathroom bill, seems cool with losing millions

• The backlash against transgender rights has moved to Texas, where Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is picking up where North Carolina left off.
  
• Patrick has listed passing the “Women’s Privacy Act,” which requires people to use restrooms that correspond to the gender they were assigned at birth, as a priority for the upcoming legislative session.
  
• The bill has split the business and religious wings of the state party because of its estimated costs to state commerce.
  
• According to the 4,300-member Texas Association of Business, it could cost the state at least $964 million.
  
• “The message from the Texas business community is loud and clear,” Chris Wallace, president of the Texas Association of Business, said at a news conference in December, according to the Texas Tribune. 
  
• “Protecting Texas from billions of dollars in losses is simple: Don’t pass unnecessary laws that discriminate against Texans and our visitors.” Read more