Kansas Rep. says Kobach's request for investigation of schools is 'sad'

TOPEKA (KSNT) — One Kansas state representative is pushing back against Attorney General Kris Kobach and his recent call for federal investigations into several public school districts.

Kobach recently requested federal investigations into four Kansas school districts. He believes that districts in Topeka, Olathe and Kansas City should be investigated regarding policies related to transgender students.

Additionally, Kobach believes these districts maintain policies that force students to share bathrooms and locker rooms based on their preferred gender identity.

27 News spoke with Kansas Democratic State Representative Kirk Haskins. He said the request for investigations is, "sad," and believes the attorney general should be focused on other issues.

"What I would ask is for Kansans to think, when was the last time this was an issue that impacted their household," Haskins said. "Instead of talking about property tax relief, instead of talking about the cuts to Medicaid, this is what we want to take time on to focus on, and again it's something that I think we can use our tax dollars better."

Kobach has also called on schools to revise contracts for "Child Nutrition and Wellness Programs" that specifically use language such as "gender identity" and "sexual orientation."

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