New York Won't Do Business With Companies That 'Tolerate Discrimination'

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an order this weekend prohibiting certain state agencies from doing business with companies that “promote or tolerate discrimination,” the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. State officials have provided few details about the specific ramifications of the order.

In justifying his decision, Cuomo characterized the move as an act of defiance against the Trump administration, calling the order a ban on “New York state government [doing] any business with any entity that discriminates against any New Yorker, period.” He added that it’s “probably a positive message for the state economically in that it really underscores that we’re tolerant and open to all people and businesses.”

Cuomo announced the decision at a Human Rights Campaign event Saturday night, while top state officials rolled out a more formal announcement on Sunday.

From the WSJ:

In an announcement about the order on Sunday, state officials said the federal government has moved to roll back critical civil-rights protections, including banning transgender people from serving in the military. A White House spokeswoman didn’t respond to a request for comment.

State officials didn’t specify what particular companies or contracts the ban might affect. A spokeswoman for Mr. Cuomo said Sunday it applies to every firm that does business with the state, ranging from telecom to construction to food-supply companies.

The order requires that the state’s Office of General Services and Division of Human Rights work to construct a plan for compliance by May 1.

In December, Cuomo vetoed a bill that would have funded programs to increase the number of women and people of color involved in state television production.