Otter Responds to Obama ‘Guidance’ on School Bathroom Issue

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX) – The Obama administration on Friday issued guidance directing public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms that match their gender preference, but Idaho’s governor isn’t taking the news lying down.

“This vast overreach by the Obama administration once again shows the federal government’s disregard for states’ rights and local control of our schools,” Gov. C.L. “Butch" Otter said in a prepared statement Friday.

“This federal ‘guidance’ dictates solutions to very personal and sensitive matters that should be left to local school administrators, school boards, teachers, parents, students and communities. This action creates needless concern and confusion for students, parents and educators."

Obama laid down a heavy hand, however, saying that schools must adopt the bathroom policy or lose federal funding.

"Threatening to withhold federal Title IX funding for failure to comply with this offensive attempt at social engineering only harms our children," Otter said. "It is unwarranted, unprecedented, and unacceptable.”

The state will continue to explore options “that ensure the rights of all Idaho students are protected,” he said. “I do not believe this Washington, D.C., power play will withstand the legal challenges that are sure to come.”