Edit: State Spends Like Drunk Sailors

Every Idaho politician worthy of the Republican name campaigns on the platform of fiscal austerity. Until, of course, they get elected and move to Boise. That’s because they’re playing with your money, not theirs. Exhibit A — Courtesy of the Legislature’s own Office of Performance Evaluations, it turns out state agencies are spending $10 million a year on private attorneys — paying them an average $268 per hour - rather than turning to Attorney General Lawrence Wasden’s staff, which bills out at one third that amount/ Marty Trillhaase , Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Can Idaho Republican leaders really be considered fiscal conservatives when they’ve wasted so much money on outside counsel and bad deals like the IEN contract?