The Idaho Supreme Court has ruled 5-0 that State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth must adhere to the law, which means vacating her Statehouse office. The highest Court in Idaho unanimously agreed that, according to State Code, the Legislature has the sole authority to control and allocate the space on the first floor of the Capitol. This follows a similar ruling in District Court last July.
“While we applaud the pointed and sensible decision by our Supreme Court, we would have preferred the State Treasurer had respected the rule of law and avoided the need for this lawsuit,” said Speaker of the House Scott Bedke. “We now hope to finally move forward without any further delays or complications.”
Speaker Bedke and former President Pro Tem Brent Hill were forced to file the complaint in June after Ellsworth was unwilling to follow state law, found in Idaho Code section 67-1602(3). The Supreme Court agreed with Legislative Leadership, finding that the Treasurer’s interpretation of an alleged 2007 agreement allowing their office to stay on the 1st floor was without merit. Leadership was also awarded court costs.
The Legislature had made continued attempts to negotiate with the Treasurer, even offering to allow her to stay in her current suite with some staff. She demanded more, even though she, like most other Constitutional Officers in Idaho, already has staff in many other locations.
