Gov. Butch Otter's transportation task force has opened its third meeting this morning, with a full house. First up is a presentation from Tom Warne, former director of the Utah Department of Transportation and now a transportation consultant, on the regional and national transportation funding picture. "I'm not here to tell you how Idaho should do this," he told the group. "There are decisions you'll have to make as elected officials."

He noted some stats: From 1990 to 2007, Idaho's population grew 48.6 percent, its vehicle miles traveled grew 55 percent, and its roadway capacity grew by just 3.3 percent. Utah's numbers are similar, and that's the situation nationwide, he said. "There is this huge need for us to invest in the transportation system just to keep it in a functional condition."