[rprospero]

I hope this passes and gets swiftly struck down by the courts.

I hope it passes because I'm none too pleased with the NSA right now.

I hope it gets struck down because I'd hate for a precedent to be established where cutting off utilities to your political enemies becomes an accepted political tactic. It's 265 Kelvin outside right now and a disturbingly large number of representatives in my state legislature would love to cut off the heat at various LGBT advocacy groups.

[graylights]

I agree completely with your last point. I accept basic utilities are granted a monopoly, but with that comes common access.

Maryland also doesn't want the NSA to leave since federal money is a huge part of the state economy. Also denying state contractors from providing support could cause massive disruptions. I imagine a lot of basic services at government facilities overlap (custodians, food services).

Unfortunately the states don't really have any legitimate tools to punish the federal agencies. I suppose since the NSA is under the DOD they could rollback state benefits to military but that'd be very unpopular. They could also go NJ style and close down roads outside their headquarters.

[ams6110]

a disturbingly large number of representatives in my state legislature would love to cut off the heat at various LGBT advocacy groups.

Can you cite any specific instance of a representative in your legislature threatening such action or expressing a desire to be able to do something like that?

[betterunix]

Note that cutting off utilities access to another branch of the government is different, legally, from cutting off access to an individual or private organization. I hope this stands and sets a precedent as a protest tactic by state and local governments.

[edgarallenbro]

I'm pretty sure that wouldn't fly.

This is one of the rare ways in which the two-party system is actually beneficial. They disagree so much, that when they actually do agree, it's serious business.

Taking down the NSA is a move that has bipartisan support. Shutting down LGBT advocacy groups in the same way would cause massive backlash from the left.

[DennisP]

Would you feel different about the tactic if the courts clearly said that what the NSA is doing is illegal...and it kept doing it anyway?