Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden issued the following statement today on the proposed constitutional amendment to remove him from the state Land Board and replace him with the state treasurer:

“It’s up to the Legislature to determine whether this is an appropriate policy direction for our state. But let’s understand that this move will resolve none of the criticisms directed at the Land Board. As the longest current serving member of the Land Board, I believe it’s critical that politics be eliminated from the Land Board. The best way to achieve that goal is to replace all five constitutional officers now sitting on the board with professionals who have the expertise and professional background to ensure that all of the constitutional requirements demanded of the Land Board are consistently met.”