Official: Texas will forego federal funds over LGBT policy

In this photo taken Tuesday, May 10, 2016, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, standing in front of the Fort Worth ISD Legacy of Excellence wall, addresses the media on Fort Worth Superintendent Kent Scribner's policy to allow transgender students comfortable access to bathrooms at the FWISD Board of Education complex in Fort Worth, Texas. Scribner announced rules last month allowing transgender students access to single-stall restrooms. Patrick called for the Scribner's resignation. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY; NO SALES less In this photo taken Tuesday, May 10, 2016, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, standing in front of the Fort Worth ISD Legacy of Excellence wall, addresses the media on Fort Worth Superintendent Kent Scribner's policy ... more Photo: Tom Fox Buy photo Photo: Tom Fox Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Official: Texas will forego federal funds over LGBT policy 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

DALLAS (AP) — Texas’ lieutenant governor says the state is prepared to forfeit billions of dollars in federal funding for public schools following an Obama administrative directive over bathroom access for transgender students.

Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Friday that Texas “will not yield to blackmail” and urged superintendents to defy the new federal guidance. The directive says public schools are obligated to treat transgender students in a way matching their gender identity.

The guidance doesn’t impose new legal requirements, but rather clarifies expectations for districts receiving federal funds.

Patrick says Texas receives roughly $10 billion in federal education dollars. He didn’t say how that money might be replaced. Patrick’s remarks came only moments after more than half the state’s 1,200 school districts lost a major lawsuit claiming that Texas unconstitutionally underfunds public schools.