Barbieri: State can ‘dictate to’ cities and counties, but feds can’t to state
Rep. Tom Trail, R-Moscow, asked Rep. Vito Barbieri about unfunded mandates that the state passes down to cities and counties. "Would they not have the right also to pursue nullification?" he asked. Barbieri responded, "Contrary to what others expressed here, I do not believe the states are creatures of the federal government. However, cities and counties are creatures of the state government. ... Through creation of those government entities, we are in a position to dictate to them. ... This does not stretch the other way." Trail responded, "United we stand, divided we fall."
