Shumlin bans state-funded trips to Indiana

Gov. Peter Shumlin has banned all non-essential state-funded travel to Indiana, where he says a controversial religious freedom law promotes anti-gay discrimination.

The ban took effect immediately Tuesday afternoon, applies to agencies and departments within the governor's administration, and lasts until further notice. Administration Secretary Justin Johnson and Shumlin spokesman Scott Coriell said they were unaware of any Vermont-sponsored trips to Indiana that would be impacted.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also imposed a similar ban Tuesday.

Several coaches from the University of Vermont plan to attend the National Association of Basketball Coaches convention in Indianapolis during the Final Four, according to UVM Athletics. Coriell said the ban has no effect on those plans.

Earlier Tuesday, Shumlin offered Vermont as an alternative union conference location after the Indiana law prompted the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees to scrap plans there.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders announced the decision to cancel on Indiana "as a sign of our disgust and disappointment." His reaction joined a chorus of businesses and organizations who are saying the state law legalizes anti-gay discrimination. The AFSCME women's conference had been planned for Indianapolis in October and typically draws 700 to 900 attendees, according to a union representative.

Shumlin praised the decision to abandon Indiana.

"Our state has a long, proud tradition of supporting equal rights," Shumlin wrote in a letter to Saunders. "Vermont was the first state to outlaw slavery and the first state to legislate marriage equality simply because it was the right thing to do, not because a court mandated it.

"In that tradition, we would be proud to work with you to determine if Vermont has facilities that can accommodate your conference," Shumlin continued, "and if so, relocate it to the Green Mountains."

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has refuted claims that the law invites discrimination and has asked for a new bill "making it clear the law does not allow businesses the right to deny services to anyone."

Contributing: USA TODAY. Contact April Burbank at 802-660-1863 or aburbank@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AprilBurbank.