Connecticut Gov. Dannell Malloy will issue an executive order on Monday calling for a ban on state-funded travel to Indiana because of its new law, which he believes is intended to discriminate against gays.
Only problem: Connecticut has a similar law on the books.
Because of Indiana's new law, later today I will sign an Executive Order regarding state-funded travel. -DM
— Governor Dan Malloy (@GovMalloyOffice) March 30, 2015
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
Malloy, a Democrat, is the first governor to enact a travel ban in protest of Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The law, signed last week by Gov. Mike Pence, says that the state cannot “substantially burden” an individuals’ exercise of their religion.
Opponents of the law have said that it is intended to discriminate against gays. They fear that businesses owners will use the cover of the law to withhold services to gays and lesbians. The mayors in Seattle in San Francisco have called on an Indiana travel ban. A number of outraged celebrities have called on a boycott as well. Former NBA star Charles Barkley called on the NCAA to move its Final Four tournament from Indianapolis.
Indiana is by no means alone in enacting such a statute.
In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed into law the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. And with Indiana’s passage, 20 states, including Connecticut, have such laws on the books.
As The Federalist’s Sean Davis notes, Connecticut’s law, which was signed on June 29, 1993, is more strict, at least in terms of its language.
While Indiana’s law includes language prohibiting the state from creating a “substantial” burden against an individuals’ exercise of their religion, Connecticut’s does not use the “substantial” qualifier. It reads that “The state or any political subdivision of the state shall not burden a person’s exercise of religion.”
Malloy’s office did not immediately respond to The Daily Caller’s request for comment.