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California bans state-funded travel to Arizona over 'discriminatory' legislation

California is restricting state-funded travel to Arizona after Gov. Doug Ducey signed what he called “common sense” legislation.

But in a news release California Attorney General Rob Bonta called it discriminatory, “Make no mistake: There is a coordinated, ongoing attack on transgender rights happening right now all across the country. Blanket legislation targeting transgender children is a ‘solution’ in search of a problem. It is detached from reality and directly undermines the well-being of our LGBTQ+ community.”

One new Arizona law prohibits transgender girls and women from competing in public school sports for girls and women. 

When he signed the legislation on March 30, Ducey said, “SB 1165 creates a statewide policy to ensure that biologically female athletes at Arizona public schools, colleges and universities have a level playing field to compete.”

The other law cited by California for its travel restrictions bans insurance companies from covering and health care professionals from performing gender affirming or sex reassignment surgery on anyone under 18. 

Upon signing that bill, Ducey said, “The reason is simple and common sense — this is a decision that will dramatically affect the rest of an individual’s life, including the ability of that individual to become a biological parent later in life.”

Bonta said California is putting its money where its values are. In addition to Arizona, Bonta said California is restricting state-funded travel to Indiana, Louisiana and Utah.

As a senior field correspondent, Christina Estes focuses on stories that impact our economy, your wallet and public policy.