New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order banning non-essential state travel to Mississippi is a powerful message the state government can send at a time of interstate conflict.

The order, which was signed Tuesday, requires state entities to review requests for state-sponsored or publicly-funded travel to Mississippi that is not essential to the enforcement of state law, public health and safety. The ban follows the passing of a Mississippi’s law that allows businesses and non-profit groups to refuse service on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Cuomo also barred non-essential state travel to North Carolina last week after the state passed a law that bars transgender individuals from using restrooms that align with their gender identities, fails to include sexual orientation and gender identity from anti-discrimination policies and forbids municipalities from extending protections to LGBTQ citizens.

Though the state’s call is rooted in financial measures to prevent New York funds from inadvertently going to states with discriminatory laws, the orders reinforce a symbolic message that New York is a progressive state that leads by example. And the state should work to maintain itself as a power that voices its stance when necessary, but backs up the sentiment appropriately when faced with the opportunity.

In 2015, Cuomo banned non-essential state travel to Indiana after that state’s legislature passed a controversial religious freedom law that did not prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ citizens. The measure was later amended to prevent it from being used to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals and the ban on travel was lifted.

As seen then and should be acknowledged now: When New York makes a statement, lawmakers listen. And though non-essential travel bans are more figurative than with the capacity to make tangible economic impacts, the state should be commended for expressing its resistance to discriminatory legislation in Mississippi and North Carolina.