Murray bans city funding for Indiana travel

SEATTLE – Mayor Ed Murray has forbidden the use of city funds for travel to Indiana in response to a controversial new state law that could discriminate against specific groups.

Murray also plans to sign an executive order next week finalizing the ban. The announcement comes two days after Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed into law SB 101, which allows business to use religious reasons to deny service to gay and lesbian customers.

In a statement on Saturday, Murray said that the ban is a further reflection of Seattle as a leader fighting discrimination against all.

“Indiana’s S.B. 101 doesn’t reflect the values of our City. 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,” he said. “This is why I am ordering that none of our taxpayer dollars should go toward supporting this discriminatory law.”

After the order is signed, all city employees will be banned from using city funds for any travel to and from Indiana. Murray will also ask all city departments to review their contracts to see if any are with businesses based in Indiana.