There is a way to end this madness. It is an Article 5-like alliance.
While this would ideally be an agreement by all states, red states should pass legislation barring state business or travel with any state that engages in boycotts. The key would be that the agreement must stand on principle, allow no exceptions, and trigger immediate reciprocity: A travel ban on, say, Nebraska would result in a reciprocal ban not just from Nebraska but from every state in the alliance.
In this way, when a state like California targets a state like Utah, it will shoot itself with roughly half of the country. Eventually the administrative and competitive costs of such measures would become prohibitive.
California’s enormous economy has given leaders like Gov. Newsom a sense of impunity in targeting other states. There are now 17 states on California’s banned list under a 2016 law that automatically adds states which discriminate against or remove protections for people on the basis of sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. Imagine if those 17 states had automatic reciprocity laws — add any one of us to a boycott list, and you will be boycotted back by all.
Go here to read the rest. It is a good idea by Professor Turley but also an ominous one. As the old Union wanes, new alliances are beginning to be formed. No American patriot can but regret that he has lived to see such days.
A useful idea. Unfortunately, it’s also almost certainly impossible. This would be an interstate compact, which per the Constitution would have to be approved by Congress.
Given our feckless GOP “leaders,” even a Republican Congress is unlikely to consent.
I doubt if Congressional Consent would be needed under Virginia v. Tennessee:
https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_v._Tennessee_(1893)
In any case Congress would have to act first to void such a compact. I don’t see that happening. If Congress does not act, Congress has implicitly approved the compact.
I don’t see how those state bans are legal in the first place.
I don’t see how those state bans are legal in the first place.
You mean a state legislature cannot debar state employees from attending a conference in California paid for by state funds?