State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth is appealing a lower court ruling that would remove much of her staff from the Idaho Capitol building and hand over the office space to legislators.
The battle over office space between the treasurer and top Idaho lawmakers has been ongoing for more than a year.
In July, a district court judge sided with the legislature, noting that Idaho code gives lawmakers control over most of the capitol, including where Ellsworth’s offices are located.
But in a statement, she says she’s appealing the ruling to the state supreme court to save taxpayers money, despite mounting legal costs on both sides that will ultimately be paid by Idaho citizens.
House Speaker Scott Bedke (R-Oakley) and Senate Pro Tem Brent Hill (R-Rexburg) brought the lawsuit against Ellsworth in June of last year after negotiations broke down to relocate some of her staff out of the capitol.
It’s unclear where she and her staff would go should she lose again in court.
Legislative leadership says the district court ruling “was very clear” and that they’re confident it will be upheld.
Follow James Dawson on Twitter @RadioDawson for more local news.
Copyright 2020 Boise State Public Radio
