The Utah legislature voted Friday to overturn Republican Gov. Spencer Cox’s veto on a measure that would bar trans girls from participating in women’s sports in schools across the state. In a 56-18 vote with the required majority, the Republican-controlled House initially voted to overturn Cox’s veto. Shortly afterwards, the Senate gave the final approval to bypass the veto by a vote of 21-8. Governor Spencer Cox speaks during a press conference on August 31, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo / Rick Bowmer, Archive) In a statement on his veto on HB 11, entitled Student Eligibility in Interscholastic Activities, Cox said that while “politically, it would be much easier and better for me to just sign the bill,” he vetoed it because he “tried to does it I feel it’s right, regardless of the consequences “. Four GOP lawmakers from each legislature changed their initial votes against the measure to support the bypass, according to the Utah Deseret News. DIMOPOULOS GOVERNOR OF INDIANA EXCLUDES VETO BILL THAT PROHIBITS SEXUAL GIRLS FROM WOMEN’S SPORTS At least one GOP member of parliament who voted against the measure, state MP Mike Winter, has not changed his stance. He chose not to vote to overturn Cox’s veto. “As a fiscal conservative, I can not pass a bill to throw tax dollars in a lost trial or cost the state financial opportunities, while it will only serve as a message of hatred while in court. I agree [with Cox]. “Utah can do better,” Winter tweeted on Thursday. Protesters hold placards ahead of the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship at the McAuley Aquatic Center on March 17, 2022 on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Indianapolis. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images) State lawmaker Kera Birkeland, the Republican sponsor of the bill, said the bill was “purely” about “preserving women’s sports” and warned that when we “do not act and just follow the status quo, we are only doing more harm to trans young people.” as well as women athletes “. The Utah Jazz, the state NBA team, issued a statement after the legislator bypassed. “The Utah Jazz oppose discriminatory legislation. We are committed to our values of participation, mutual respect and fair play,” the statement said. “Apart from basketball, we hope for a fair solution that shows love and compassion for all our youth.” CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION Similar measures have been introduced in other states, some of which voted to ban trans students from participating in women’s school sports. Indiana Republican Gov. Eric Holcombe (Ting Sen / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Earlier this week, Indiana Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb also vetoed a bill that would bar trans women from participating in women’s sports, saying the measure “leaves too many unanswered questions” and calls into question the need for state intervention.
