Spokane7
47°Quick links: Easter photo contest • Washington Legislature • Idaho Legislature • Gonzaga hoops • WSU hoops
Jon Hanian, press secretary for Gov. Butch Otter, said the governor stands ready to meet with lawmakers to resolve the impasse over transportation funding. “We’ve cleared the governor’s schedule, he’s got nothing on it,” Hanian said. “From his perspective, we keep giving ground here. … We’re at $75 million now. They didn’t want to implement it during this economic downturn - we said OK to that. They wanted this interim committee - we said OK to that. … We feel like we’ve been very reasonable in what our reaction to every one of their demands has been. We kept backing it down. The governor has been very responsive. … He has listened to their views, and we have agreed to a lot of ‘em. The only thing he has asked in return is, you’ve got to give us certainty, so ITD can begin addressing this (road maintenance) backlog that’s gonna kill us.” Said Hanian, “We’re still here working, and we’ll be here until it’s resolved.”
Though House GOP leaders haven’t met with the governor since Wednesday, House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, said, “We are talking to the governor - maybe not face to face, but there are communications going on.”
Betsy Z. Russell covers Idaho news from The Spokesman-Review's bureau in Boise.
999 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201
P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210
Main switchboard: (509) 459-5000 • (800) 338-8801
Newsroom: (509) 459-5400 • (800) 789-0029
Customer service: (800) 338-8801
© Copyright 2010, The Spokesman-Review
JamesBond on May 04 at 6:16 p.m.
Governor Otter, why do you want to raise our taxes so much? Idaho's gasoline taxes are currently 24th in the country. We're not low. This 6 cent per gallon increase will move us further up. People are losing jobs, real estate is still declining in value, and our retirement accounts have taken almost unfathomable hits. This is not the year for big spending initiatives. It is a year for efficiencies and cuts. Frankly, I am stunned that you picked this year for this kind of a proposal. It can wait. You miscalculated, and/or were poorly advised. Let our House go! Let them go.
Flag as inappropriate
Scorecard on May 05 at 11:51 a.m.
Unbelievably irresponsible james bond. The fact that you dont even realize that this gas increase would go into effect in 2011 and 2012 and is simply a way to allow ITD the ability to plan projects on a consist revenue stream tells me you know little to nothing of the issue and you are simply emotionally responding to media games. You are entitled to your opinion, you are not allowed to make up the facts. Idaho isone of the top five states for road mileage, actual pavement in our state, and we are 24th in the tax.. grow up and pay your share, everyone else is… you have not got a clue how many increases this legislative session has approved. Do your homework and quit whining.they need to do the work.. this isnt JR. High..they are keeping themselves there because “leadership” is to busy thinking they are shaving the next speaker of the house or govenor when they look in the mirror every morning.
Flag as inappropriate
Sisyphus on May 05 at 12:44 p.m.
Wow scorecard where have you been? Actually Bond has been around and likely know more than you think. But like the House he's keenly shortsighted and ideologically opposed to tax hikes, even if its the fiscally conservative thing to do. I'd be willing to give the Governor his tax hike, if he'd kill some anti-education legislation headed his way.
Flag as inappropriate