The rules seems to be:
1,) States must comply with the federal government on issues favored by the left.
2.) States may defy the federal government on issues opposed by the Left.
Exactly. Pro abortion legislation is enacted IMMEDIATELY. Legislation favoring Pro-Life is always stayed pending appeal.
When you take money from the Feds the Feds get to tell you where and how to spend it. The lesson here is to not take money from the Feds.