Cost to Fight Idaho's Gay Marriage Decision Passes $80 K

Idaho officials have spent more than $80,000 challenging a federal judge's decision overturning the state's ban on gay marriage.

The Spokesman-Review reports that information it obtained through a public records request shows Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter earlier this month agreed to pay a Washington, D.C., attorney $10,000 to file two legal briefs.

That's on top of the $71,000 previously spent to challenge U.S. District Court Judge Candy Dale's decision that Idaho's gay marriage ban was unconstitutional.

Last week, Otter filed a petition with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals asking the 11-judge panel to review Idaho's arguments. Information on the latest costs isn't available.

The court asked the Idaho plaintiffs to file a response.

Gay marriage became legal in Idaho on Oct. 15.