Idaho education official applauds vaccine mandate injunction

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A top Idaho education official says a preliminary injunction blocking President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors will give colleges and universities time to plan a path forward without forcing employees to either be vaccinated or possibly lose their job.

Idaho State Board of Education President Kurt Liebich in a statement Tuesday says the injunction is what the board was hoping for when it joined Republican Gov. Brad Little last month in signing onto a lawsuit filed in Georgia challenging the mandate.

“A federal judge in Georgia today granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors and subcontractors including employees at Idaho’s public universities,” Idaho State Board of Education President Kurt Liebich said.

“This is the outcome the Board was hoping for when it followed Idaho Governor Brad Little’s lead in joining a federal lawsuit filed last month in the State of Georgia challenging the president’s executive order mandating the vaccinations.

“Since the mandate was issued, our institutions have been struggling to develop plans to comply, and the preliminary injunction gives us breathing room to chart a proper path forward without forcing employees to choose between getting vaccinated or potentially losing their job.

“Idaho’s universities hold approximately $90 million in federal research contracts, which may have been put at risk by the mandate.

“Our colleges and universities continue to offer voluntary vaccinations on each of their campuses and I urge students and employees to get vaccinated.”

The federal court on Tuesday issued a stay to bar enforcement of the mandate nationwide.