JFAC sets Attorney General’s budget, skips request for more lawyers

Legislative budget writers set a budget for the Idaho Attorney General’s office this morning that represents a 6.5 percent increase in state general funds, but leaves out Wasden’s request for two additional attorneys, plus one paralegal, to represent the state in risk management cases, following recommendations from a legislative performance audit report that said Idaho could save money by handling those cases through the Attorney General’s office rather than hiring pricey private attorneys. Gov. Butch Otter didn’t recommend funding the $347,800 request; the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee didn’t discuss it as it voted unanimously, 19-0, this morning to set Wasden’s budget, matching Otter’s recommendation.

The budget was crafted by Rep. Rick Youngblood, R-Nampa. Wasden had requested a 6.7 percent increase in state general funds.

At an earlier budget hearing, Wasden reported that from 2011 to 2014, Idaho hired private attorneys to defend the state in 97 percent of the 157 lawsuits filed against it. He recounted major cases his office has handled in-house, including a win before the U.S. Supreme Court in a Medicaid reimbursement case, and said his office can handle major cases efficiently and cost-effectively. “I believe in the talent, skill and commitment of the deputies in my office, who every day practice law at the highest level,” he told JFAC at the budget hearing.

Todd Dvorak, spokesman for Wasden, said, “We asked for that because we thought it was a way to save money. We will continue to work with Risk Management next year  and review the cases they take on, and if it’s appropriate, next year we will make a similar request.”

Dvorak said Wasden was pleased overall with the budget JFAC set, particularly because it included allowing for shifting two investigator positions in the Internet Crimes Against Children unit from contractors to staffers; the move doesn’t cost any more. “That’ll provide some stability and expertise” that will help the unit’s work, he said.