Stitt Bans State Funded Travel to California

In retaliation for California’s travel ban to Oklahoma over it’s leanings toward pro-life issues, Governor Stitt has banned state funded travel to California. He says he’s standing up for Oklahoma’s values.

“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. 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. I am proud to be Governor of a state that fights for the most vulnerable among us, the unborn,” said Stitt.

There are three exceptions to the executive order banning the travel. The Department of Commerce will be allowed to travel for business recruitment purposes.  Employees or officials who can only obtain or retain professional accreditation only available in California. Middle schools, high schools and colleges participating in competitions may also travel to California.

The executive order takes effect immediately.

Of course, it didn’t sit well with House Democrats. Minority Leader Rep. Emily Virgin and House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Cyndi Munson released a joint statement after the order was issued, calling the executive order a distraction.

“Hundreds of thousands of uninsured Oklahomans are waiting to hear the governor’s healthcare plan that he promised and failed to deliver last fall. We are near the bottom in the country when it comes to resources for education and as a result education outcomes. We are one of the worst states in the country when it comes to infant mortality. In spite of the strides made by the people of this state through ballot measures, Oklahoma is still number two in the country in mass incarceration.

The governor’s latest decision to ban travel to California is nothing more than an attempt to distract from another recent bad decision the governor made, which was to alienate and attack our tribal nations and ask a federal court to shut down our state’s thriving tribal gaming industry.

To those that believe that this isn’t simply an attempt at distraction, why would the governor exempt travel for sporting events and business recruitment? And with those exemptions in place, who does this ban actually affect?

It’s time for the governor to end this irresponsible disagreement with the tribes, release a healthcare plan and focus on Oklahoma families,” read the joint statement.


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  1. Larry Joslin, 25 January, 2020

    I believe Gov Stitt is doing a great job. Standing his ground is exactly what he needs to do. Abolishing abortion in our state should be his number one agenda regardless of what the liberal Californians or our own Democrats think or do, I’m sure God is watching the ones that are in favor of killing our unborn. As for attacking the tribes, how dare these two liberal Democrat women attack the Governor for wanting a better contract with the tribes. We have given them several years of low cost so they could build their casino business. Now it’s time for them to pay us the same as other states are being paid.

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