California Senate bill 323, the “Youth Equality Act” (Sen. Lara), seeks to punish the Boy Scouts and other “discriminatory” youth-serving organizations by stripping away their state tax exemption. It is steadily making its way through the very “blue” legislature, facing little opposition.

But the bill has received surprising pushback from CalNonprofits, the statewide membership organization. CalNonprofits says this about the bill:

“At CalNonprofits, we are opposed to discrimination by any organization — for-profit, religious organization, or nonprofit — on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or other matters. At the same time, we believe that the tax exemption is the wrong lever through which to enforce anti-discrimination laws and end discriminatory practices.

“Nonprofit organizations are expressions of free speech, and should be allowed to exist representing wide varieties of opinion. We should take action against discrimination through the civil and criminal courts, through public pressure, and by moving our donations and volunteer hours elsewhere.”

There’s a thought California (and other legislators) ought to keep in mind when considering the ever-more-popular idea of using government to punish unpopular views: “Nonprofit organizations are expressions of free speech, and should be allowed to exist representing wide varieties of opinion.” Indeed.