A judge says a Florida law that would make it more expensive for travel agents to book trips to Cuba is unconstitutional because it interferes with foreign policy.
Federal Judge Alan S. Gold threw out the 2008 Sellers of Travel Act, which requires agencies that sell trips to Cuba to post a $250,000 bond with the state, in Miami today. Agencies that don't book Cuba trips only have to post a $25,000 bond.
Companies argued the measure would force them to hike prices and could put them out of business.
Gold says in his ruling that Florida can't interfere with the federal government's right to set foreign policy, nor can the state set its own foreign policy.
The judgment comes as the Obama administration is easing restrictions for Cuban-Americans to travel to the communist island.
