California Proposes Bill To Ban Trump Hotel Stays for State Employees

California lawmakers are considering a bill that would ban state agencies from spending taxpayer money at any of the hotels owned by President Trump or his family.

This proposal was introduced by Democratic state Assemblyman Evan Low and would prohibit employees of any state agency from spending money at a Trump hotel while traveling for work.

“Public officials, at any level, should not profit off the constituents that they were elected to serve and represent. No branch of government is above the Constitution, and this legislation will ensure that California taxpayers are not further exploited by Donald Trump’s violations of the emoluments clause” said Low.

According to Fox News, “While the text of the bill does not specifically mention Trump by name, the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the only president in U.S. history who also happens to be a hotel magnate.” The ban would be applicable to state agencies, the legislature, the judicial council, and the University of California and California State University systems.

“This bill would prohibit a state agency, as defined, from paying, reimbursing an employee, providing a per diem allowance, or contracting for the cost of lodging, procuring a good or service, or any other expense at a lodging establishment where the owner, as specified, is the President of the United States” the bill reads.

However, Trump’s hotels are not very popular with California state workers. Only one state worker has booked a stay at a Trump hotel through the state’s contracted travel agency or its online booking tool since the start of 2016.

Officials from other states have visited the properties more frequently. The nonprofit group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington identified 64 visits to Trump properties by 47 state officials, including 20 Republican governors. At least 90 members of Congress have visited the properties 188 times.