Lawmakers Caught Between Ditch, Pothole Higher Fuel Tax, Auto Registration Would Only Keep Roads’ Status Quo
The cost of driving in Idaho may be going up next year, but motorists will still not see dramatic improvements in the state’s roadways.
Some lawmakers want them to pay almost a nickel a gallon more in fuel taxes plus a doubled automotive registration fee just to keep the highway system from falling into further disrepair.
And with an election set for next fall, a number of lawmakers, including some leaders, are leery of such a large increase in vehicle taxes in the face of the anti-tax mood of the voters.
Idaho Transportation Department analysts say the backlog of needed state highway improvements, now put at $4.1 billion, will grow to $5.7 billion by the end of the decade, even with the cash from higher taxes.
“What you’ll see is a lot of roads that are in marginal condition will have new pavement on them,” said Sen. Evan Frasure, R-Pocatello.
Frasure is co-chairman of the interim legislative panel that will decide Nov. 16 whether to recommend that the 1996 Legislature approve an increase in Idaho’s 22-cent-per-gallon fuel tax.
He is also chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, which must approve any tax plan.
Gov. Phil Batt has hinted for the past year that he will back some kind of increase in highway user fees or taxes, and his economic stimulus task force has also endorsed a hike.
After their proposal for a 3-cent-a-gallon fuel tax hike died in the Legislature last winter, state transportation officials have suggested raising the tax by 4-1/2 cents a gallon and doubling automobile registration fees.
Registering a new car would cost about $72 and the cost would gradually drop to as little as $32 for automobiles at least 8 years old.
The fuel tax hike would generate more than $30 million, of which the state would get about 60 percent, and the higher registration fee would add another $44 million, also split with local governments.
The Transportation Department is looking into downsizing, contracting out more work and reducing duplication.
The committee also wants the department to reduce its 1,800-member staff by 100 positions through attrition during the next three years.
But the savings alone won’t generate enough cash.
xxxx SPENDING IT The Transportation Department would divide its share of the money this way: Restoring highway pavement, $10 million. About 40 percent of Idaho highway miles have poor surfaces. This money would allow the state to cut that number in half by the year 2006. Replacing and repairing bridges, $8.8 million. The state says 78 of its bridges are in bad shape. The extra money would allow the state to fix all but 10 of them by the year 2006. Adding more lanes to relieve traffic congestion, $14 million. Spending this money would allow the state to keep pace with growth, but not much more.