oklahoma travel ban to california

STITT ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING STATE-FUNDED TRAVEL TO CALIFORNIA

As millions of people across the United States come together for the National March for Life, Governor Kevin Stitt announced today a ban on state-funded travel to the State of California.

“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 Gov. Stitt  

The most recent government action from California came from the City of San Francisco in October 2019, which banned city-paid travel to the Sooner State, citing Oklahoma’s laws that protect and ensure the right of an unborn child’s life. 

EO 2020-02 bans all non-essential travel to the State of California for all state employees and officers of agencies that is paid for by the State of Oklahoma. The executive order provides an exemption to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce in order for the agency to continue its recruitment efforts to bring more job creators to the business-friendly state of Oklahoma.    

A copy of EO 2020-02 is available by clicking here .

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What travel ban? Was California trip by governor in keeping with his executive order?

Three years ago, in January, Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order banning almost all state-funded travel to California . The governor’s order was tersely written and to the point.

“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,” the governor said in a media statement announcing the ban. “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.”

Why did Gov. Kevin Stitt issue a travel ban to California?

The governor’s order was a response to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and to an action taken by the city of San Francisco in 2019. That order, Stitt said, banned city-paid travel to Oklahoma, “citing Oklahoma’s law that protect and ensure the right of an unborn child’s life.”

Stitt’s order banned all nonessential travel to California for all Oklahoma state employees and officers of agencies that was paid for by the state. The governor’s order also carved out exceptions for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and college and high school athletic teams or other teams “to participate in programs, events, or competitions taking place in California.”

Public Eye: California charity taking credit, raising money off of Oklahoma husky shelter's work

Stitt said the exemption for the Commerce Department was for “the agency to continue its recruitment efforts to bring more job creators to the business-friendly state of Oklahoma.”

On March 29, the governor reaffirmed this order with yet another executive order that said the travel ban shall remain in full force and effect.

Gov. Kevin Stitt traveled to California in September

Then in September, Stitt went to California.

Documented by a posting from his own account on X, previously known as Twitter, the governor said, “I recently traveled to California to accept Live Action’s Life Award recognizing the pro-life work we’ve done.”

That event, the Live Action Life Awards Gala, was held Sept. 23 in Dana Point, California.

More: Oklahoma mother forced to travel 600 miles for life-saving care due to confusing abortion laws

Stitt’s trip is now raising questions. While executive orders are similar to statutes, they are typically issued to protect the public or respond to emergencies. However, gubernatorial executive orders are considered law until they expire and legal experts say a violation can mean civil sanctions or criminal penalties.

On Wednesday, Stitt's spokesman, Abegail Cave, said the governor's trip was not funded with state funds. Cave said the governor's travel and accommodations were paid for by the group LiveAction.

"The governor did not violate his executive order as no state funds were used for this trip," Cave wrote in an email to The Oklahoman." The governor continues to believe that taxpayer dollars from hard-working Oklahomans should not go to states that are hostile toward our pro-family value."

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Oklahoma's governor has banned state travel to california. here's why the states are feuding.

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In a tit-for-tat feud between states, a 2018 move by California to ban some official travel to Oklahoma over what officials there say are discriminatory LGBTQ policies has led the Sooner State's Republican governor to issue a similar ban against the Golden State.

Oklahoma's Republican governor, Kevin Stitt, issued an executive order Thursday that prohibits state employees from "all non-essential travel" to California, with exceptions for Department of Commerce employees traveling for business recruiting.

He was responding to California's ban two years ago of state-funded and state-sponsored travel, with exceptions, to Oklahoma after the state passed a law that critics said allows adoption and foster agencies to deny children be placed with same-sex parents based on religious or moral grounds.

"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," Stitt said in a statement.

"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," Stitt added.

State college athletes and their teams will still be allowed to travel for scheduled games. Also exempt from the ban are school groups, including bands and sports teams, traveling to participate in programs or events in California.

During a news conference Thursday at the state Capitol, Stitt told reporters that "if a state is going to ban travel here, I'm going to reciprocate that, and I'm not going to spend our tax dollars going to conferences and spending money in their state, as well," CNN affiliate KOCO reported.

Oklahoma House Democratic leaders Reps. Emily Virgin and Cyndi Munson said Stitt's ban was nothing more than an effort to divert attention away from in-state issues such as health care, education and a feud over Native American tribes' casino operations.

"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?" they said in a statement.

California has taken similar actions against other states, banning official state travel in 2017 to 10 other states for laws it says discriminate against LGBTQ people.

And the city of San Francisco in October limited city-funded travel and contracting with 22 states, including Oklahoma, for what it called "severe anti-choice policies."

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Oklahoma Bans State Travel to California in Tit-for-Tat over LGBT Laws

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed an executive order on Thursday banning nonessential state-funded travel to California, in response to California’s own ban on travel to Oklahoma.

The executive order exempts business-recruiting trips and visits by schools or sports teams from the ban.

“California and its elected officials over the past few years have banned state travel to the State of Oklahoma in an effort to politically threaten and intimidate Oklahomans for their personal values,” Stitt said in a statement. “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.”

The city of San Francisco bans government-funded travel to Oklahoma and 21 other states due what it views as the states’ restrictive abortion laws.

The entire state of California in 2018 added Oklahoma to an already existing state-funded-travel ban due to Oklahoma’s passage of a law allowing adoption agencies to deny placing children with same-sex couples.

The California ban, which includes Iowa, Texas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and North Carolina, prohibits state-funded travel to states with laws that allegedly discriminate against LGBT people. Iowa was added to the ban in 2019 over the state’s refusal to cover gender-reassignment surgeries with Medicaid.

“California taxpayers are taking a stand against bigotry and in support of those who would be harmed by this prejudiced policy,” said state Attorney General Xavier Becerra upon the ban’s enactment in 2016.

More from National Review

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Oklahoma governor orders ban on state travel to California

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Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday banned state-funded travel to California in response to a similar ban California placed on travel to the Sooner State.

The first-term Republican issued an executive order that prohibits all non-essential travel by state employees to California, with exceptions for business recruiting trips, college sports games and trips by schools to participate in programs.

Stitt said in a statement that he was taking the action in response to similar travel bans imposed by California. Oklahoma was added to California’s travel ban in 2018 after passing a law that allows adoption agencies to deny placement services to same-sex parents. The City of San Francisco last year extended that ban to states with restrictive abortion laws, including Oklahoma.

“Enough is enough,” Stitt said. “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.”

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Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday banned state-funded travel to California in response to a similar ban California placed on travel to the Sooner State.

The first-term Republican issued an executive order that prohibits all non-essential travel by state employees to California, with exceptions for business recruiting trips, college sports games and trips by schools to participate in programs.

Stitt said in a statement that he was taking the action in response to similar travel bans imposed by California. Oklahoma was added to California's travel ban in 2018 after passing a law that allows adoption agencies to deny placement services to same-sex parents. The City of San Francisco last year extended that ban to states with restrictive abortion laws, including Oklahoma.

“Enough is enough," Stitt said. “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."

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Oklahoma governor orders ban on state travel to California

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday banned state-funded travel to California in response to a similar ban California placed on travel to the Sooner State.

The first-term Republican issued an executive order that prohibits all non-essential travel by state employees to California, with exceptions for business recruiting trips, college sports games and trips by schools to participate in programs.

Stitt said in a statement that he was taking the action in response to similar travel bans imposed by California. Oklahoma was added to California’s travel ban in 2018 after passing a law that allows adoption agencies to deny placement services to same-sex parents. The City of San Francisco last year extended that ban to states with restrictive abortion laws, including Oklahoma.

“Enough is enough,” Stitt said. “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.”

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Oklahoma governor bans state-funded travel to California after being put on Golden State's blacklist

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The governor of Oklahoma has banned all state-funded travel to California after officials there placed a similar ban on travel to his state.

Oklahoma’s Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is in his first term, announced the ban in an executive order on Thursday, barring all non-essential travel by state employees to the Golden State, with exceptions for business recruiting trips, college sports games and trips by schools to participate in out-of-state programs.

CALIFORNIA ADDS IOWA TO 'TRAVEL BAN' OVER REFUSAL TO FUND GENDER TRANSITIONS

“Enough is enough,” Stitt said. “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.”

Stitt’s executive order came as a response to similar travel bans imposed by California. Oklahoma was added to California’s travel ban in 2018 after passing a law that allows adoption agencies to deny placement services to same-sex parents.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt talks with the media following an aerial tour of tornado- and flood-damaged areas of the state, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Last year, the city of San Francisco also extended the ban to states with restrictive abortion laws — including Oklahoma.

Last September, California announced that it added Iowa to the list of states on its “travel ban” list because of the state’s prohibition against funding gender-transition surgeries under Medicaid.

California’s blacklist also includes Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas and Mississippi.

Fox News' Gregg Re and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Oklahoma Governor Bans All Nonessential State-Funded Travel to California

Oklahoma’s ban comes two years after California’s state-funded travel ban to Oklahoma

By Evan Symon , January 23, 2020 1:41 pm

On Thursday, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed an executive order halting all non-essential state travel to California.

Under Governor Stitt’s executive order only certain business, sports, and education events will be allowed to travel to California.

The move by the Governor comes two years after California banned state-funded travel to Oklahoma following former Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin’s signing of a law that allows adoption agencies to deny placing children into gay and lesbian couples based on religious or moral issues. It also follows San Francisco’s city-funded travel ban to Oklahoma and 22 others states with restrictive abortion laws and the barring of contracting business with any company in those states. San Francisco’s ban just began only weeks ago on January 1st.

Governor Stitt’s ban was partially in response to the actions of California and San Francisco and the estimated millions that Oklahoma has lost as a result.

“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,” said Governor Stitt in a statement. “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.”

However the Governor’s office did confirm that the ban was also partially signed due to President Donald Trump’s upcoming attendance at the National March for Life, the anti-abortion rally taking place Friday in Washington.

“It’s not solely about the bans, although that probably made them mad,” said Douglas Singer, a former speechwriter for a Health Group who often responded to new abortion laws. “We’ve seen this before. A president or higher elected official gets ready to give a speech about abortion, an act that doesn’t happen often, and a lot of people scramble to get mentioned in the speech.”

“Trump will at least give a statement around the March for Life, if not give a speech there. The Governor is likely playing for a mention to lock down support, as well as show that Oklahoma won’t be pushed around by ‘big, mean’ states like California, even though that ban has been in place for years.”

The travel ban, which isn’t expected to significantly affect California financially, went into effect upon signing. California’s current state travel-ban due to anti-homosexual and anti-abortion laws also includes states such as Texas, North Carolina, Iowa, Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi.

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9 thoughts on “ Oklahoma Governor Bans All Nonessential State-Funded Travel to California ”

This is a movement that needs to grow among GOP states. In response to the CA boycott of GOP states, these states should STOP state funding for attending meetings and conventions in California. If enough states do it, the conventions will not be HELD in California. Indeed, I suspect our awful homeless mess will cause conventions in San Diego to move elsewhere anyway. A GOP boycott would be the perfect excuse to relocate to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, etc.

Good. My state and its leftwing gov. needs to have its own tactics used against it.

Good. I don’t want those bigots coming to our beautiful state.

Our beautiful state? It’s fucked up falling apart dirty as shit with needles from the homeless everywhere. Thanks to your dumb ass being a democrat. Our state is fucked up because of people like you.. you dumb bitch so go fuck your self with that shit.

Cool. I don’t want those bigots coming to our beautiful state.

Our Gov. Is a POS,,, HE CHEATED ON HIS “WIFE” with his “BEST FRIENDS WIFE” This is who runs the State! Truly sickening. Thats great, A Gov. With the morals of a “PIMP!!” A POS GOV. THAT MAKES US CITIZENS 2ND CLASS BEHIND IMMIGRANTS. IF YOU ARE A VET DOWN ON YOUR LUCK LIVING IN YOUR CAR WITH NO REGISTRATION IT WILL BE TOWED, REGARDLESS OF YOUR SACRIFICE TO THIS COUNTRY,,,, HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE AN AN UNDOCUMENTED ILEGAL IMMIGRANT WITH NO LICENSE, INSURANCE OR REGISTRATION YOU WILL BE LEFT ALONE TO DO WHAT EVER THEY WANT,, YOU KNOW,, LIKE SHOOT GIRLS INFRONT OF THERE FATHERS, “SAN FRAN” THANKS AGAIN GAB!! HOW MUCH MORE DANGER ARE YOU GOING TO PUT OUR US CITIZENS IN FOR YOUR VOTES,, YOU POS!!! YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO OUR COUNTRY OUR US “CITIZENS” AND OUR VETERANS. THE HOMELESSNESS IS BECAUSE OF YOUR ANTI US CITIZEN POLICIES, HOW MANY FREEBEES CAN THE HARDWORKING US CITIZENS PAY FOR, HEALTH CARE ALREADY THROUGH THE ROOF AND YOU GIVE THAT TO THEM FOR FREE AS WELL, WHAT THE F-CK IS WRONG WITH YOU AND HOW THE F-CK DID YOU THINK THAT WOULD HELP ANYTHING, GO LOOK AT THE DROVES OF HOMELESS GOV. YOU ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT COMPLETLY OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY. GOD JOB GAB,, KEEP THOSE ANTI US CITIZEN POLICIES GOING!!

I guess the Joads would have still made it to California.

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Thank you Governor Newsom or your faithful hard work and effort.. You’ll make a terrific President.

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Proposed bill would ban Clear users from skipping security lines at California airports

California lawmakers are looking to crack down on airport line-jumpers with a proposed bill that would ban security screening company Clear from general security lines across the state.

The bill is sponsored by state Sen. Josh Newman, a Democrat who represents the 29th Senate District.

Newman told CBS MoneyWatch the bill, which is set to come before the California State Senate's transportation committee on Tuesday, lets wealthier people skip in front of passengers who have been waiting to be screened by Transportation Security Administration agents, and that the bill aims to resolve a "basic equity issue."

Republican state Sen. Janet Nguyen told Politico she understands the frustration stated in Newman's bill and that "it becomes a haves vs. have nots" where people who can afford Clear jump in front of everyone else. However, a spokesperson for Nguyen sought to clarify to USA TODAY on Tuesday that Nguyen had not reviewed the bill in its entirety when she spoke to Politico last week.

"When it comes to making one’s way through airport security, the quality of that experience shouldn’t be contingent on a traveler’s income or willingness to pay," Sen. Newman said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY. "And yet, in many of California's airports, travelers who choose not to participate in the Clear concierge screening service are subject to the indignity of being shunted aside to make way for those who do," the statement continues.

"This is inequitable, especially in light of the fact that it's their tax dollars which fund airport security services in the first place," Newman's statement reads.

What is Clear?

According to its website, Clear charges members $189 a year and allows customers to verify their identities at kiosks upon arriving at airports, where customers can their boarding pass and eyes or fingerprints. After identity verification, a Clear ambassador will then escort customers to the front of the security line.

The service is currently being used in dozens of airports across the country and in major California airports in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, as well as in many sports stadiums and other venues.

"We are proud to partner with nine airports across California − creating hundreds of jobs, sharing more than $13 million in annual revenue with our California airport partners, and serving nearly 1 million Californians," a Clear spokesperson said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY.

"We are always working with our airline and airport partners as well as local, state, and federal governments to ensure all travelers have a safer, easier checkpoint experience,” the statement reads.

What does SB-1372 propose?

Newman's bill, SB-1372, would require third-party vendors like Clear to get their own dedicated security lane, separate from the one used by general travelers. The bill would apply to new agreements between public airports and third-party security services after Jan. 1, 2025.

He told Politico he is not trying to ban Clear but believes its system is neither efficient nor secure.

"SB-1372 doesn't seem to terminate the Clear concierge service at airports; instead, it seeks to have Clear and other third-party screening services operate separate lines for subscribers, thereby eliminating the friction and frustration caused by the current system," Newman said in a statement.

While the bill faces support from union groups representing flight attendants and TSA employees, it faces strong pushback from six major airline companies: Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Southwest and United.

The airlines, in a letter to Senate Transportation Committee chair Dave Cortese and published by Politico, said the bill "not only threatens to increase fees on air carriers but also severely restricts airports' ability to manage lines at the security checkpoint, resulting in a negative travel experience for our California customers."

The airlines argue that SB-1372 could eliminate millions in revenue dollars currently paid by Clear, which could further increase air carrier operating costs in the state and leading to increased fares.

The Northern California branch of the American Federation of Government Employees, a federal employee union group, argued in a letter to Cortese that "expedited screening service providers no longer make meaningful contributions to aviation security, and their continued presence at California's airports instead degrade the public's traveling experience."

Sarah Nelson of the Association of Flight Attendants, a union group representing flight attendants in the U.S., said it is concerned by "continuing reports about irregularities in Clear's verification of passenger identification," raising concerns about the integrity of aviation security, according to a letter to Cortese also published by Politico.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X  @GabeHauari  or email him at [email protected].

Tired of Clear travelers cutting the airport security line? A California lawmaker wants change

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Tired of watching Clear customers get escorted to the front of the airport security line?

California state Sen. Josh Newman sure is.

Newman (D-Fullerton), who frequently travels between his Orange County district and Sacramento, said Clear’s system of charging a premium for special access to a taxpayer-funded service has become a regular source of outrage.

“Over time, you get kind of aware of the degree to which the Clear service has kind of an adverse effect on the people who don’t use it,” Newman said, noting that he’s among that group. “There’s something very elitist, almost un-American, about it to me.”

So Newman authored a bill that would require third-party security vendors like Clear that strike deals with airports after Jan. 1, 2025, to operate through a dedicated security lane, instead of alongside mainstream lines. Currently, Clear operates at nine of the state’s largest airports.

Newman’s team believes it is the first legislation of its kind in the nation.

The original version of the bill, SB 1372 , would have required Clear to use separate, dedicated security lanes in all California airports, including the ones it’s already serving. Newman said his goal wasn’t to ban Clear, which for now appears to be the only vendor that would be affected, but to have the company to work with the federal Transportation Security Administration to “re-engineer this process to separate these two lines” in California airports.

“The people who don’t [use Clear] shouldn’t be inconvenienced or frustrated,” Newman said in an interview, calling it an issue of equity.

The Senate Transportation Committee weakened the bill Tuesday so that it would allow Clear to keep its current operations intact while implementing a moratorium on new airport deals by Clear — or potential competitors — until separate queues with the TSA can be arranged. The panel then approved the bill and sent it to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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There is no companion bill in the state Assembly.

Clear enables its customers, who pay about $200 a year, to go to the front of TSA lines after their identity is verified. Clear customers are required to go through TSA security screening and bag checks.

It wasn’t immediately known how difficult it would be for Clear to set up separate security lanes — though the process would surely require more space, employees and buy-in from the TSA — but Newman said it’s possible, pointing to Delta Air Lines’ separate check-in area and security line at Los Angeles International Airport for its highest-paying Delta One customers.

“We are proud to partner with nine airports across California — creating hundreds of jobs, sharing more than $13 million in annual revenue with our California airport partners, and serving nearly 1 million Californians,” a Clear spokesperson wrote in a statement. “We are always working with our airline and airport partners as well as local, state, and federal governments to ensure all travelers have a safer, easier checkpoint experience.”

The spokesperson did not answer questions about Newman’s bill, but the company is listed in opposition. According to the bill’s analysis, about 10% of airport patrons are Clear customers.

Newman said he found little evidence that Clear made the the airport experience more efficient or enhanced security as promised. Instead, he noted, the company has come under increased scrutiny in Washington after multiple security breaches, including an incident in which someone used a boarding pass found in the trash, as reported by Politico last year.

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“Are they really adding value?” Newman asked. “Does that justify the inconvenience that is visited upon the people who don’t use it?”

He also called the revenue generated to state airports “incremental.”

But a Clear representative at the bill’s Tuesday hearing called the recent security issues isolated incidents resulting from human error — not an issue with it’s biometric screening process.

Most major airlines, airports and chambers of commerce near the state’s largest airports opposed the measure.

In a letter to the Senate Transportation Committee chair, major U.S. airlines said the bill “not only threatens to increase fees on air carriers but also severely restricts airports’ ability to effectively manage lines at the security checkpoint.”

“Given SB 1372’s elimination of $13 million in revenue currently paid by Clear, we are concerned that the bill’s passage could further increase air carrier operating costs in the state, potentially resulting in increased fares or decreased service options,” said the letter, which was signed by Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, United, JetBlue and Southwest airlines. “In 2023 alone, Clear verified our frequent fliers over 5 million times in California — which means our most loyal customers find value in using Clear. We find that Clear’s operation supports overall checkpoint efficiency for all travelers by helping balance queues and by performing quick and secure identity checks across the airports where they operate.”

Two major unions, representing flight attendants and Northern California transportation security officers, have lobbied in support of the changes to Clear.

The Assn. of Flight Attendants said in a letter to Senate leaders that the bill would restore equal access to security lines and mentioned growing concerns after “continuing reports about irregularities in Clear’s verification.”

“One passenger using a ‘cut the line’ program with a false identity to board an aircraft is one too many,” the flight attendants’ letter said.

But some senators Tuesday questioned the value of addressing this issue when there’s clearly enough demand for such a service that has a limited effect on others.

“Yes it’s annoying, ... [but] it only takes a second,” said Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta). “That’s not a big enough inconvenience to me.”

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Grace Toohey is a reporter at the Los Angeles Times covering breaking news for the Fast Break Desk. Before joining the newsroom in 2022, she covered criminal justice issues at the Orlando Sentinel and the Advocate in Baton Rouge. Toohey is a Maryland native and proud Terp.

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April 25, 2024

California bill aims to ban Clear from airport security lines

S ay goodbye to shorter lines at California airports, at least for those willing to pay for it, if Senator Josh Newman has his way.

The California Democrat is sponsoring a bill that would ban Clear Secure ( NYSE: YOU ) from airport security areas across the state as the company’s concierge service creates a “basic equity issue” that lets wealthier travelers bypass long security lines for a $189/year subscription.

“It’s about dignity in the travel experience of people who don’t have money to pay for upsell services,” Newman said.

Clear ( YOU ) provides expedited security screenings at 50 U.S. airports along with other public venues. Travelers with a subscription to the service can go to the front of the security line once their identity is established at a Clear ( YOU ) kiosk.

The bill introduced by Newman, SB-1372, isn’t intended to ban Clear ( YOU ) entirely, but for the company to establish its own security area away from non-Clear subscribers.

“The least you can expect when you have to go through the security line at the airport is that you don’t suffer the indignity of somebody pushing you out of the way to let the rich person pass you,” Newman told POLITICO.

While the bill has support from Republican Senator Janet Nguyen, and unions representing flight attendants TSA employees, airlines oppose the bill as it limits how airports manage security lines and eliminates partnership revenue between the carriers and Clear ( YOU ). Delta ( DAL ), United ( UAL ), Alaska Air Group ( ALK ), JetBlue ( JBLU ), Southwest ( LUV ), and Hawaiian Airline ( HA ) all have partnerships with Clear ( YOU ).

SB-1372 will be voted on before California’s State Senate transportation committee on Tuesday. 

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How Republican-led states far from the US-Mexico border are rushing to pass tough immigration laws

Oklahoma City immigration attorney Sam Wargin Grimaldo speaks to a group outside the Oklahoma Capitol on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, who opposed a bill that would impose criminal penalties to be in the state illegally. Oklahoma is one of several GOP-led states seeking to give broader immigration enforcement powers to local police. (AP Photo/Sean Murphy)

FILE - Marilyn McCulloch and Emily Bickers, both of Tulsa, stand with a group of protestors during a rally against the detaining of immigrant families in front of David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center on Saturday, June 30, 2018, in Tulsa, Okla. The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday, April 24, 2024, gave final approval to a bill that would make illegal immigration a crime. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP, File)

FILE - People at the Keep Families Together rally as the son of Holocaust survivors speaks about the importance of offering asylum in the South Plaza of the Oklahoma State Capitol Building in Oklahoma City, Okla. on Saturday, June 30, 2017. The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday, April 24, 2024, gave final approval to a bill that would make illegal immigration a crime. (Anya Magnuson/The Oklahoman via AP, File)

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican-led states are rushing to give broader immigration enforcement powers to local police and impose criminal penalties for those living in the country illegally as the issue of migrants crossing the U.S. border remains central to the 2024 elections.

The Oklahoma Legislature this week fast-tracked a bill to the governor that creates the new crime of “impermissible occupation,” which imposes penalties of as much as two years in prison for being in the state illegally.

Oklahoma is among several GOP-led states jockeying to push deeper into immigration enforcement as both Republicans and Democrats seize on the issue. That was illustrated in February when President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both visited the U.S.-Mexico border the same day and tussled from a distance over blame for the nation’s broken immigration system and how to fix it.

Here are some things to know about the latest efforts in various states to target immigration:

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN TEXAS?

Lawmakers in Oklahoma followed the lead of Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill last year that would allow the state to arrest and deport people who enter the U.S. illegally. That law is currently on hold while the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals considers a challenge brought by the U.S. Department of Justice .

Opponents consider the law to be the most dramatic attempt by a state to police immigration since an Arizona law more than a decade ago, portions of which were struck down by the Supreme Court.

WHAT DOES OKLAHOMA’S BILL DO?

Oklahoma’s law would make it illegal to remain in the state without legal authorization, with a first offense a misdemeanor punishable by as much as a year in jail. Violators would be required to leave the state within 72 hours of being released from custody. A second and subsequent offense would be a felony punishable by as much as two years in prison.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, who carried the bill in the Senate, voiced frustration with the federal government and Congress for not taking more definitive steps to solve the immigration problem.

“The federal government has failed. The U.S. Congress, they have not done anything to impact it,” said Treat, an Oklahoma City Republican. “So what can we do? We can say you have to be here legally in Oklahoma.”

Outside the state Capitol, more than 100 people gathered Tuesday in opposition to the bill.

Sam Wargin Grimaldo, 36, an attorney from south Oklahoma City whose mother emigrated from Mexico in 1979, urged those who rallied to register to vote and become more politically engaged.

Grimaldo said many Latinos in Oklahoma are frightened about the new law.

“We feel attacked,” said Grimaldo, wearing a shirt that read, “Young, Latino and Proud.” “People are afraid to step out of their houses if legislation like this is proposed and then passed.”

WHAT ARE OTHER STATES DOING?

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed a bill requiring law enforcement agencies to communicate with federal immigration authorities if they discover people are in the the country illegally, and would broadly mandate cooperation in the process of identifying, detaining and deporting them. That bill takes effect July 1. Another proposal there would allow sentencing enhancements up to life in prison for someone in the country illegally who commits a violent crime.

In Iowa, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill this month that mirrors part of the Texas law. Another approach at a Texas-style bill is advancing in Louisiana . Idaho lawmakers considered a similar measure but adjourned without passing it.

Georgia lawmakers passed a bill that seeks to force jailers to check immigration status, part of a continuing political response to the killing of a nursing student on the University of Georgia campus, allegedly by a Venezuelan man.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill last month to increase prison and jail sentences for immigrants in the United States illegally if they are convicted of felonies or of driving without a license.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Like Texas’ new law, many of the bills are almost certain to face legal challenges because immigration is a federal, not a state, issue under the U.S. Constitution, said Kelli Stump, an immigration attorney in Oklahoma City and the president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

“The whole thing is a mess and the system is broken, but the Constitution says that states handle state issues and the feds handle federal issues,” Stump said. “This will ultimately end up at the Supreme Court if I’m a betting person.”

Associated Press reporters Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee, and Jeff Amy in Atlanta contributed to this report.

Lawmakers consider bill that would ban CLEAR program at California airports

By emma goss • published april 23, 2024 • updated on april 23, 2024 at 7:40 pm.

A bill making its way through the California legislature takes aim at third-party vendors like CLEAR Plus which, for $189 a year, allows travelers to move to the head of the security screening line.

“Travel is hard enough, and so having this ability to skip a line is helpful,” said Charity Wallace, who was traveling through SJC with CLEAR.

The bill, introduced by Southern California State Senator Josh Newman, wants the general public to avoid ending up in line behind those willing to pay more.

That bill would require third party vendors like CLEAR to get their own TSA screeners through the federal government and create a whole different line. 

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AT SJC, airport management worries that that requirement would mean CLEAR would vanish from California airports.

Six major airlines also came out against the bill, noting that if CLEAR is cut from airports, airfare may go up.

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While being passed in line may bother some, several travelers at SJC Tuesday said they weren't too bothered.

“For the most part you just plan ahead, it's more in the strategy of how you get on the airline,” said Ed Stoll of San Carlos.

This article tagged under:

Watch CBS News

California Governor Newsom launches abortion travel ban ad campaign in Alabama

By Dave Pehling

Updated on: April 22, 2024 / 1:41 PM PDT / CBS San Francisco

California Governor Gavin Newsom is taking aim at states considering abortion travel bans with the launch of a new ad campaign.

Newsom's Campaign for Democracy ad is set to air in Alabama starting Monday. The governor tweeted out the ad in a social media post Sunday morning.

Alabama’s abortion ban has no exceptions for rape or incest. Now, Republicans are trying to criminalize young women’s travel to receive abortion care. We cannot let them get away with this. pic.twitter.com/gHbYJYlEXk — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 21, 2024

The text with the video post reads, "Alabama's abortion ban has no exceptions for rape or incest. Now, Republicans are trying to criminalize young women's travel to receive abortion care. We cannot let them get away with this."

The 30-second commercial shows two nervous young women driving in a car passing a sign that reads "State Line 1 Mile." 

"We're almost there. You're gonna make it," the passenger tells the woman behind the wheel just before they hear a siren and are pulled over by a state trooper.

"Trump Republicans want to criminalize young Alabama women who travel for reproductive care," a voiceover says as the state trooper walks up to the car.

"Miss, I'm going to need you to step out of the vehicle and take a pregnancy test," the trooper says, waving a test stick in one hand. The next shot shows the driver leaning on the hood of her car as the trooper puts her in handcuffs.

"Stop them by taking action at RightToTravel.org ," the voiceover intones as the ad ends.

Alabama is currently weighing a bill that would make it a crime to help women travel outside the state in order to receive an abortion. The ad is part of a larger effort to combat travel bans across the United States. Newsom was behind a similar ad that ran in Tennessee.

The RightToTravel.org website says that those two states and Oklahoma are considering bills that ban minors from traveling out of state to get an abortion without parental consent, even if it's a case of incest or if there is abuse in the family.

It isn't the first action the governor has taken in the political battle over abortion since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of 2022. Two days after the ruling, Newsom partnered with the governors of Oregon and Washington to issue a multi-state commitment promising to defend access to reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives.

In September of that year, he launched a billboard campaign in seven of the most restrictive anti-abortion states urging women seeking the procedure to come to California for treatment. He also signed more than a dozen new abortion laws  protecting women's reproductive rights and ordered the state to end its contract with Walgreens after the pharmacy giant  indicated it would not sell an abortion pill by mail in some conservative-led states . 

• Gavin Newsom
• Roe v. Wade

Dave Pehling started his journalism career doing freelance writing about music in the late 1990s, eventually working as a web writer, editor and producer for KTVU.com in 2003. He moved to CBS to work as the station website's managing editor in 2015.

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