Connecticut to ban state-funded travel to Indiana over religious freedom law

by David McCabe - 03/30/15 12:41 PM ET

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) will sign an executive order that bans state-funded travel to states that make it easier for people to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity, a spokesman said Monday.

The order comes in response to a new law in Indiana that critics say would allow businesses to deny service to gay customers, Malloy said on Twitter.

“Because of Indiana’s new law, later today I will sign an executive order regarding state-funded travel,” Malloy tweeted.

When new laws turn back the clock on progress, we can’t sit idly by. We are sending a message that discrimination won’t be tolerated. -DM

— Governor Dan Malloy (@GovMalloyOffice) March 30, 2015

The precise wording of the order remains unclear.

The law in Indiana has drawn a storm of criticism. Under the statute, business owners are exempt from actions that would place a “substantial burden” on their religious beliefs. Opponents of the law say the language could allow wedding vendors to deny service to same-sex ceremonies, for example.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) has defended the law as an extension of the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and said the media is mischaracterizing what it would do.

“This is about protecting the religious liberty of people of faith and families of faith across this country, that’s what it’s been for more than 20 years,” Pence said.

Indiana Republicans on Monday said they would clarifying language to the law — though they did not specify what that language would look like and what effect it would have.

Malloy is following other political leaders who have said that taxpayer funds cannot be spent on travel in Indiana. The mayors of both San Francisco and Seattle have instituted similar bans. Malloy’s order will make Connecticut the first state to do so.

The broader nature of Connecticut’s ban may mean that will be applied to states other than Indiana. Arkansas’ governor is expected to sign a law similar to the one enacted in Indiana.

— Updated at 1:38 p.m.