Governor Kevin Stitt on Thursday signed an executive order banning all non-essential state-funded travel to California based on the on Oklahoma’s stance of being “pro-life. The move comes after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in October banned city-funded travel to 22 states, including Oklahoma, that city officials say have “restrictive abortion laws.” The ban took effect Jan. 1. Stitt’s executive order also comes nearly two years after Golden State leaders banned state travel to Oklahoma because of a policy they consider discriminatory toward the LGBTQ community.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed a bill allowing private adoption and foster agencies to deny placing children with same-sex couples on religious or moral grounds back in 2018.
“California and its elected officials over the past few years have banned travel to the State of Oklahoma in an effort to politically threaten and intimidate Oklahomans for their personal values,” Stitt said in a statement. “Enough is enough.”
The order includes an exemption for Department of Commerce staffers to travel to California to recruit businesses. It also includes exceptions for state athletic teams and support personnel to travel to California for games.
