Barbieri Defends Ousting AG Office

Lawmakers on the House State Affairs Committee had plenty of questions this morning about Rep. Vito Barbieri’s bill to set up a separate “Office of Legislative Counsel” to provide legal opinions for the Legislature, sidestepping the state Attorney General’s office — and cutting its budget and staff to fund the new office. Barbieri, who is a lawyer but is not licensed to practice in Idaho, said he sees an “inherent conflict of interest” in the attorney general providing opinions to the Legislature; asked for an example, he cited his health care nullification bill, which the attorney general advised was unconstitutional/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Would you rather have Republican Attorney General Lawrence Wasden’s office offering legal opinions on questionable legislation or someone of Vito Barbieri’s choosing?