News Summary
Columbia is grappling with a budget crisis due to a local ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors. The city could lose $4 million in state funding unless the ordinance is repealed. Advocates argue that repealing the ban would harm LGBTQ+ youth, while officials face legal threats regarding the ordinance’s constitutionality. The City Council has postponed votes on the matter, and concerns over mental health and state interference in local governance are rising as the budget deadline approaches.
Columbia is currently grappling with a significant budget crisis caused by a local ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors. The City Council faces the risk of losing nearly $4 million in state funding unless the ordinance is repealed, creating serious implications for the city’s financial future.
The controversial practice known as conversion therapy, which seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, has been widely condemned by numerous medical and psychological organizations as harmful. A provision in the newly signed state budget specifies that municipalities enacting a ban on conversion therapy will have state funds withheld, which directly threatens Columbia’s budget.
Attorney General Alan Wilson has threatened legal action against the city if the ordinance remains in effect, arguing that it is unconstitutional and violates the 2022 Medical Ethics and Diversity Act. Columbia stands out as the only municipality in South Carolina that has implemented a ban on conversion therapy, which was established in June 2021.
The City Council has postponed votes regarding the ordinance multiple times, with the latest deferral occurring during a meeting on May 27. Speculation surrounding the motivations behind the state budget proviso has surfaced, with some lawmakers suggesting that council members may have lobbied for it, potentially putting their own budget at risk. Both Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and other legislators have denied these claims.
Communications about the ordinance and its consequences have taken place between Rickenmann and S.C. House Ways and Means Committee chairman Bruce Bannister. Public hearings conducted by the City Council have showcased testimonies from various community members, with a majority voicing concerns that repealing the conversion therapy ban could adversely affect the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth. Advocates stress the potential harm that could come from allowing such practices to continue.
Organizations like the ACLU of South Carolina have criticized the funding threat as a form of legislative coercion that undermines local governance. Wilson contends that the ordinance contradicts state law and First Amendment rights, stating that home rule does not allow for local laws that conflict with state regulations.
The City of Columbia is anticipating public hearings and a preliminary vote on the budget before June 10, as a balanced budget is required by July 1. Mayor Rickenmann has expressed frustration over the politicization of discussions related to the ordinance, emphasizing that the city deserved an earlier opportunity to address the issue thoroughly.
To mitigate potential revenue losses, the city may consider implementing temporary funding adjustments as budget discussions progress. Meanwhile, City Council members, including Tyler Bailey, have indicated plans to vote in favor of retaining the conversion therapy ordinance despite the financial ramifications that may follow.
The classification of conversion therapy practices as unscientific and potentially harmful has led to the enactment of laws against them in several states across the nation. As Columbia navigates this challenging situation, the outcome of the City Council’s decisions could have lasting implications on both the city’s financial health and the welfare of its community members.
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: Conversion therapy
- WLTX
- Google Search: Columbia conversion therapy
- WIS TV
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Conversion Therapy
- Post and Courier
- Google News: Columbia City Council
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