News Summary
The Columbia City Council has voted to postpone the repeal of its ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors, allowing focus on budget concerns. City Manager Teresa Wilson warned of a $3.7 million budget deficit that could affect city services. Despite pressures from the state Attorney General to repeal the ban, community support for its continuation remains strong. The council will revisit the issue following the state legislature’s budget discussions next week, amidst ongoing debates over state versus local governance.
Columbia – The Columbia City Council voted 6-1 to postpone a decision on the repeal of its ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors. This action temporarily maintains the ban while allowing the city to focus on its budget process, which has become a crucial topic amid projected financial challenges.
City Manager Teresa Wilson highlighted a predicted funding deficit of $3.7 million that could impact essential city services. This financial concern has prompted the council to carefully evaluate its priorities, leading to an additional deferral of the decision initially made last week. Community engagement remained high during the council meeting, with more than a dozen residents voicing their opinions; most were in favor of continuing the conversion therapy ban.
The call to repeal the ban comes from South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson along with several state Republican lawmakers. They argue that the original ordinance, enacted in June 2021, infringes upon constitutional rights by limiting therapists’ ability to offer religious-based treatment options. In 2022, Wilson expressed this viewpoint in a formal opinion.
In reaction to Columbia’s ordinance, the South Carolina Legislature introduced the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act, a law designed to curtail local governments’ influence over psychological therapy practices. Wilson’s stance has become increasingly aggressive; he has demanded a response from the city regarding the ordinance and has indicated a willingness to take legal action if necessary.
Following these developments, the city replied to Wilson, stating it needs more time to evaluate the potential repeal. Consequently, the Attorney General agreed to extend the response deadline until July 7. There are looming consequences regarding the state budget, as a budget proviso may restrict local funding until the situation is clarified, putting additional pressure on Columbia’s financial resources.
This ongoing debate reflects a broader conflict between state authority and local governance in South Carolina. The Columbia City Council is currently the only municipal body in the state implementing such a ban on conversion therapy. Mayor Daniel Rickenmann has noted that the ordinance may lack certain protections and emphasized the city’s need for clarity on the financial implications tied to the potential repeal.
The council plans to revisit the vote concerning the repeal once the state legislature addresses the budget issues next week. The urgency of the matter suggests that the council will be operating with a sense of immediacy given both the financial situation and the legal pressures from the state. The continuation of the ordinance remains a contentious topic, indicating a possible clash between local values and state expectations.
The outcome of the city’s decision will likely have significant implications, not only for the immediate community but also for the ongoing dialogue about civil rights and regulatory authority within South Carolina. As the city moves forward, the attention of both local residents and state officials will be on the upcoming council meetings, where the future of the conversion therapy ban will again be at the forefront of discussion.
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Additional Resources
- WIS News
- WLTX
- Live 5 News
- Columbia Daily
- ABC News 4
- Wikipedia: Conversion Therapy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Conversion Therapy
- Google Search: Columbia City Council conversion therapy
- Google News: Conversion Therapy Ban
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