$12M GARVEE bonding motion passes

Sen. Jim Hammond’s substitute motion on GARVEE bonding, for $12 million but with priority going to construction, was voted down 8-12; then, a motion was voted on from Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, for $12 million but with priority going first to right-of-way - with the State Highway 16 project up for $11 million in right-of-way acquisition - and any excess going to the Garwood-to-Sagle project. That motion passed, 12-8. Several JFAC members spoke out against any GARVEE bonding; others said now is the time for construction, with prices down. “Construction costs are down, now is the time to do the construction - not wait until costs rise again while everything is getting more expensive,” said Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Sagle. Rep. Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls, and Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, said they didn’t favor any additional indebtedness.

In the end, Broadsword, Hammond and Sen. Darrell Kerby, who’s filling in for Sen. Shawn Keough, backed Henderson’s motion in the final vote, after Hammond’s motion had failed and GARVEE opponents were calling for stopping the program.