Besides the obvious “welcome to [state name]” sign. Is there a significant change in architecture, infrastructure, agriculture, store brands, maybe even culture?
Besides the obvious “welcome to [state name]” sign. Is there a significant change in architecture, infrastructure, agriculture, store brands, maybe even culture?
they used to search all cars entering minnesota from wisconson for fireworks until the courts ruled that was illegal without a warant for the specific cars to search. This was around 30 years ago. California has done searchs for ‘bugs’ before but don’t know if the still do.
in every case I’ve seen you don’t see any difference but locals know and will bicker over trivial things like sport teams or best state bird.
California still maintains agricultural inspection stations. Based on the FAQ, I think the legal workaround they’re using is that they can deny entry to a vehicle until it is inspected even though they cannot, strictly speaking deny entry to people.
The inspection station I pass by is still there, but it’s been literal years since I’ve actually been stopped or even seen it manned. I don’t make the trip regularly and have always been in a sedan, so maybe I’ve just been lucky. Though my guess is that funding cuts have hit them badly.
I guess that is not “Bugs” as in butterfly?
It is stated to be literally for bugs, as in insects, for agricultural protection reasons. It’s in quotes though, because typically the real purpose of such inspections is to “accidentally” find other contraband “in plain sight” during the thorough inspection for “bugs”.
Ok, this is bonkers. Although the risk of contamination with foreign insects via transit is real (we e.g. imported the Tiger Mosquito from the US via tire shipments from the U.S. into Europe some years ago…), using that as an excuse to search passenger cars is quite a stretch…
Yeah, but… as you say. It’s an excuse. Give war on drugs people an opening, they take it. Anything to oppress the poors.