The state government of Oklahoma has imposed a travel ban via executive order prohibiting state employees from traveling to California on official business in response to California’s decision to ban travel to Oklahoma.
“California and its elected officials over the past few years have banned state travel to the State of Oklahoma in an effort to politically threaten and intimidate Oklahomans for their personal values,” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement.
“Enough is enough. If California’s elected officials don’t want public employees traveling to Oklahoma, I am eager to return the gesture on behalf of Oklahoma’s pro-life stance,” he added. “I am proud to be Governor of a state that fights for the most vulnerable among us, the unborn.”
Stitt’s executive order, which bans nonessential state travel to California, was signed in response to a decision made by California politicians last year to prevent state employees from going to Oklahoma.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said at the time that the move was made to protest the state’s “discriminatory” laws.
“California taxpayers are taking a stand against bigotry and in support of those who would be harmed by this prejudiced policy,” Becerra said.
The attorney general was referring to a law passed in Oklahoma and signed by the governor that allowed adoption agencies to prevent same-sex couples from adopting.
The City of San Francisco previously banned employees from traveling to Oklahoma and 22 other states because of disagreements with state abortion laws.
