In Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden's legal challenge of the Land Board's cabin-site rent decision, the Idaho Supreme Court has ordered oral arguments, to be held June 9 before the Supreme Court. Wasden, a member of the Land Board, last month challenged the constitutionality of the board's 3-2 decision approving new lease terms for state-owned cabin sites on Payette and Priest lakes; they include 9 percent increases in rent each year for the next five years, for a total increase of 54 percent over the five-year period. Wasden contends the rental rates aren't high enough to bring appropriate returns to the beneficiaries of the state's school endowment, as required by the Idaho Constitution.

Meanwhile, groups representing cabin owners contended the rents were too high and also threatened to sue; in the pending Idaho Supreme Court case, two cabin owners' associations and three education groups have filed motions to offer amicus briefs and make arguments in the case. The Supreme Court could have decided the case based on legal briefs already filed and pending motions from both sides, but now has determined it'll first hear oral arguments.

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