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New State Public Defender office asks legislature for millions to staff statewide system
Summary
The newly created Idaho State Public Defender described implementation costs, requested supplemental and ongoing funding, and sought appropriation authority tied to a $39 million cash transfer into the new dedicated fund.
Christopher Lahoset of the Legislative Services Office presented the budget outline for the new State Public Defender, saying the office was established in “title 19 chapter 60 section 3 of Idaho Code” and that the agency carries out statewide oversight of indigent defense services. Lahoset said the office has 29 vacant positions and a personnel budget of about $37.7 million; after implementing new enhancements the office’s base appropriation was just under $49 million and total current‑year appropriation was reported at about $52,000,015.
Lahoset explained a central funding mechanism: a $39 million transfer from the tax relief fund to a dedicated state public defense fund (cited as “section 57, 8 20 7 of Idaho…
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