Two competing motions on GARVEE

There are two competing motions on GARVEE bonding: One from Sens. Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls, and Joyce Broadsword, R-Sagle, for $26 million, matching the governor’s recommendation; and one from Reps. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, and George Eskridge, R-Dover, for less than half as much, $11 million. Missing from the substitute motion are the funds for construction work next year on the Garwood-to-Sagle project on Highway 95 in North Idaho. Henderson said he was concerned that an environmental assessment that won’t be done until as late as July could delay the construction, costing the state interest as it waits; Broadsword said she was concerned about avoiding delays in the project. “Those are sections of highway that are dangerous and that we have people getting killed on too often,” Broadsword said. “We need those sections as quickly as possible and I cannot support further delay.” The $11 million in Henderson’s motion is all for the State Highway 16 project west of Boise.