Letter on GATS' Conflict with State Laws Banning Certain Activities

Gov. Baldacci warns USTR that state bans on certain activites (like Maine's bans of billboard advertising or its moratorium on commercial landfills) could be challenged as violations of the GATS market access rules.  In such an event, the federal government would be obliged as a Member of the WTO to take all possible steps - including lawsuits - to ensure that states changed their laws in conflict with GATS.