Originally Posted by Analise
Where what is leading?
Are there border guards on the Texas/New Mexico border too? Does Wisconsin have a border inspections on its Illinois border? California isn't the only state dependent upon agriculture.
The "interstate commerce clause" has never been understood by thoughtful people as allowing absolutely anything to cross state lines. States are welcome to prohibit all kinds of items that would not be in the interest of the public health or safety to allow in the state. Hawai'i, for example, prohibits the import of snakes. There are no snakes in Hawai'i. There is no rabies in Hawai'i; thus the import of any animals are subject to quarantine. Is this unreasonable, or is it a recognition that goods and goals are often in conflict, and, moreover that actual public health and safety does and should trump?
This also seems to me an excellent application of conservative principles that so many in OMNI are always trumpeting: the state knows better than the Federal government what will be helpful in ensuring the state's health and safety.
Originally Posted by dchristiva
I think that El Cochinto covered this pretty thoroughly in his first post. Given CA's significant agricultural industry, I have no problems with border checks. 70,000 lots of prohibited plant material is a large enough number for me. CA is one of the few climates where certain crops grow well, and I've seen firsthand the impact on prices at my local grocery store when crops like lettuce and tomatoes are diminished.
Well said. ^