Indigent and possibly innocent Idahoans will not find justice until the state fulfills its duty to provide them effective legal representation. Their search goes on. Thursday, a Boise judge dismissed an effort by four defendants, including one from Bonner County, to get the state to fully fund public defender offices. The Legislature slyly handed off to the counties responsibility for providing legal counsel to defendants, but provided no money to help them do so; a classic unfunded mandate/Spokesman-Review Editorial Board. More here.

Question: Isn't it strange how our legislators and executive branch bristle when it comes to unfunded mandates handed down by the feds. But don't seem to mind when they push state responsibility from the state unto local governments? Thoughts?