California may end ban on travel to 23 GOP states after law backfires

A lawmaker in California is hoping to overturn the state's ban on government funding for travel to states with laws they find discriminatory.

Since 2016, California has been steadily adding to its list of U. S. destinations barred from state-funded travel. The practice began in retaliation to North Carolina enacting a law requiring people to use the bathrooms that corresponded with their biological sex.

State Sen. Toni Atkins is seeking to overturn the prohibition, saying that the cumbersome regulations should be replaced with a marketing campaign promoting inclusion.

The San Diego State men's basketball team, for example, made the Final Four for the first time in its history, but is banned from paying for travel to Texas to compete. The NCAA is footing the bill, according to San Diego State.

"I think polarization is not working," said Atkins. "We need to adjust our strategy. We know what we need to do, but we need to be able to be there to do it."

Currently, Californians are prohibited from government-expensed travel to a total of 23 states.... (Read more)

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