Governor encourages women-owned businesses in states with abortion bans to move to Connecticut

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) is inviting women-owned businesses in states with bills restricting abortion access to move to his state.

Lamont and Lt. Gov Susan Bysiewicz (D) penned a letter to women in Alabama, Georgia and Missouri on Monday urging them to consider relocating their operations to a state that “supports the rights of women and whose actions and laws are unwavering in support of tolerance and inclusivity.”

“In short, I urge you to come to Connecticut,” they wrote.{mosads}

The two touted a “wealth of competitive advantages” in Connecticut, including state lawmakers’ “commitment to the causes of women.”

Lamont and Bysiewicz wrote that they are staunch supporters of women’s rights who are “appalled at these actions that erode the ability of women to make informed decisions about their health and bodies.”

“We know that this would be a big change for you and your company,” they wrote to businesses. “Please know that our state has a number of assistance programs that will ensure this type of transition a smooth one for you and your team.

We have a message to business owners in every state that is restricting the rights of women: Come to #Connecticut. https://t.co/1N30kgg0t4 pic.twitter.com/3gzWNCwLcc

— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) May 20, 2019

The governor’s offer came days after Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed an abortion ban into law prohibiting nearly all abortions in the state. While Ivey acknowledges that the ban “may” be unenforceable, the law represents the nation’s most restrictive abortion ban.

Lawmakers in Missouri passed a bill last week to ban abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Mike Parson (R), who is expected to sign it into law.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) recently signed legislation that seeks to ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which typically occurs around six weeks into pregnancy, before most women know they’re pregnant.