More aboard suit on bathroom policy

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky's Republican governor said Friday that he will join a lawsuit challenging a federal order to allow students to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender identities.

Nine states and officials in two other states announced Thursday that they had joined a court challenge to President Barack Obama's directive that public schools allow transgender students to use the bathroom and locker room of their choice, or else risk losing critical federal dollars.

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin said the federal government has no authority to dictate local schools' policies, and he criticized Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear for not joining the lawsuit sooner

Bevin said that Beshear "unfortunately ... is unwilling to protect Kentucky's control over local issues."

"Therefore, my administration will do so by joining this lawsuit."

In a news release, Beshear said Bevin's statement "was not truthful."

The day after the Obama administration issued its directive to public schools, Bevin said he opposed it and was "researching" options to respond.

In Mississippi, Republican Gov. Phil Bryant announced he also would join the lawsuit, despite the objections of Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood. Hood said he did not join the lawsuit because he had already joined a similar lawsuit and lost.

A Section on 05/28/2016

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