Outdoorshopping Blog

Were you planning a getaway to Indiana? From trails to zoos to recreational hideaways, there are many reasons to travel to ‘Honest to Goodness Indiana’. Unfortunately, recent political movements within the state has prompted many lawmakers abroad to establish policies preventing government-related travels to Indiana. These changes come in the wake of law S.B. 101, or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, going through in Indiana.

Big changes are occurring in Seattle as a result of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.  You may be wondering how a mayor from Seattle is affected by policies in Indiana. Seattle’s mayor Ed Murray says, “Seattle has been a leader in the fight to protect civil rights and ensure equality for all people – no matter who you are, or who you love. This is why I am ordering that none of our taxpayer dollars should go toward supporting this discriminatory law.”

“Effective immediately, I am directing City Departments under my authority to bar any publicly-funded City employee travel to the State of Indiana that is not absolutely essential to public health and safety.” Indiana Gov. Mike Pence defended the new state law that’s garnered widespread criticism over concerns it could foster discrimination on Sunday, and said it wasn’t a mistake to have enacted it.

While this may not affect your personal travels directly, many are wondering if such a large political statement should be taken into consideration in their own lives. Indeed, this policy change is making waves across many states - not just Seattle.

So what’s next? Pence told the Indianapolis Star on Saturday that he was in discussions with legislative leaders over the weekend and expects a clarification bill to be introduced in the coming week. He addressed that Sunday, saying, “if the General Assembly … sends me a bill that adds a section that reiterates and amplifies and clarifies what the law really is and what it has been for the last 20 years, then I’m open to that.” But Pence was adamant that the measure, slated to take effect in July, will stick. “We’re not going to change this law,” Pence said.

Until changes are made, tensions will run high between many who don’t support Indiana’s new laws and policy changes. This may eventually impact personal travels, but that has yet to be seen.