In a significant blow to Texas cultural conservatives, some of the nation’s most powerful oil and gas companies on Monday joined the chorus of business voices opposing Republican lawmakers’ contentious “bathroom bill” targeting transgender people. Greg Abbott urging him not to sign a so-called bathroom bill that would harm their ability to attract and retain talent from around the world. But companies such as ExxonMobil and Halliburton — more traditionally associated with conservative values— have more clout in the state’s Republican circles. Opposition from a slew of Texas companies would help Straus block the law and push Abbott and Lt. Gov. Ultimately, he said, the letter from the oil companies might be read as a warning to the governor not to call a second special session if the House failed to pass a bathroom bill.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 01, 2017 00:22 UTC