‘We currently have no choice’

Idaho Transportation Department Director Pam Lowe told legislative budget writers this morning that a state audit is right that deteriorating roads should be fixed long before they’ve gotten so bad, the so-called “worst-first” approach to road maintenance. But, she said, “Because of the lack of transportation revenue, we currently have no choice. … We can’t let ‘em turn to rubble.” The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has scheduled three hours for its budget hearing on ITD this morning; committee members have lots of questions.