Trib: In Idaho, freeway means free ride
When it comes to the neglect of Idaho's highways and bridges, good luck figuring out who appears more irresponsible:
The politicians who are doing nothing.
Or the citizens of this state who apparently are just fine with that.
For 20 years, Idaho governors and lawmakers failed to raise more money for transportation. So by the time they got serious two years ago, they faced a yearly $262 million shortfall on maintenance alone.
They raised gas taxes by 7 cents a gallon and most registration fees by $21. Despite his threat to veto any plan that raided general fund dollars meant for education and other programs, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter also agreed to siphon off a portion of "surplus" funds to pay for two years of highway projects.
It was supposedly a down payment.
That's taking the charitable view/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.
