At the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference today in Boise – a traditional run-up to the legislative session – Idaho Reports co-host Melissa Davlin reports that Lane Beattie, president of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, spoke on the importance of funding transportation. He described the I-15 improvements before the 2002 Winter Olympics, citing a $1.7 billion project funded entirely by state money. “It had to be done,” Beattie said. Beattie said road maintenance costs don't go away if you ignore them, and encouraged lawmakers to make transportation funding a priority. “If you want higher transportation costs, just don’t invest,” Beattie said.

Earlier in the program, Idaho Department of Commerce director Jeff Sayer asked Tommy Ahlquist, COO of Gardner Company, what economic growth tools Utah uses that Idaho should emulate. Ahlquist said Utah has more flexible bonding, lower taxes, and more urban renewal tools. All of those would help Idaho, he said. "I think you probably need a comprehensive list of options so you use the right tool for the right objective," Ahlquist said. However, of course, lowering taxes takes money out of the revenue stream, which may make it more difficult to secure transportation funding…