Governor Brad Little recently delivered some important updates during his “State of the State” address, revealing steps being taken to tackle two major issues facing Idaho: drug trafficking and the strain on public defenders. Here’s what you need to know about the latest developments.
A New Prosecutor to Fight Drug Trafficking
Governor Little announced that a new prosecutor will be hired in the Coeur d’Alene area to take on the rising challenge of drug trafficking. This comes after years of growing concern, with drug violations in Nez Perce County reaching 600 in 2020 alone. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho has been warning about this issue since 2018, and action is now being taken.
“We’re making it clear—drug traffickers are not welcome here. They belong behind bars,” said Governor Little. His message is clear: Idaho isn’t a place for drug-friendly activities, especially when compared to neighboring states like Oregon.
In fact, Idaho has already taken action—just last year, three individuals were sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison for drug trafficking. One was caught with fentanyl and methamphetamine, while the other two were caught distributing meth.
I-90: A Highway for Drug Traffickers
According to Representative Jordan Redman, much of the trafficking is happening along I-90 in Northern Idaho. “I-90 has been a big route for drug traffickers for a long time,” Redman shared. “It’s a relief to see that the state is taking steps to help stop this and make our community safer.”
Public Defenders in Crisis: Budget and Pay Issues
Another critical issue in Idaho is the public defender system. In 2024, the state consolidated all 44 counties under the State Public Defender Office, but it hasn’t been without problems. Pay cuts for public defenders have left the system short-staffed, and many lawyers have decided to leave due to the pay drop. The state had previously paid defenders $150 an hour, but now it’s down to $100 an hour under the new system.
This change has led to a shortage of public defenders, especially in counties like Kootenai, where the number of public defenders has fallen from 30 to just 11. The ACLU has even filed a motion with the Idaho Supreme Court, arguing that the new system is “disastrous” and asking the court to release people from jail until they can get proper legal representation.
What’s Being Done?
The Idaho State Public Defender’s Office is set to receive an $88 million budget increase for 2026 to help address these concerns. However, many worry this won’t be enough to fix the problems in the short term.
“I think the idea of consolidating the system was good in theory,” said Representative Redman. “But the reality is our public defenders are really struggling. This is a serious issue that needs immediate attention.”
Looking Ahead
With these issues in mind, it’s clear that both the fight against drug trafficking and the challenges in the public defender system will require continuous attention and resources from the state. For now, Idahoans can only hope these changes will lead to a safer and fairer system for everyone.
Stay tuned for updates as these critical issues continue to unfold.
