Edit: Highway Bill Going, Going …
When lawmakers convened on Jan. 12, it sure looked like they were prepared to finally do something about Idaho’s crumbling highways and bridges. Not since 1996 had any governor or Legislature raised Idaho’s fuel tax. And not since the defeat of his 2009 transportation package had Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter even broached the topic. A 2010 task force headed by Lt. Gov. Brad Little had established the state was falling short of meeting maintenance needs by $262 million a year - to say nothing of the $280 million a year buildup in needed construction, safety enhancement and improvements.
Transportation Director Brian Ness had won over legislative skeptics by squeezing his budget free of wasteful spending. The economy had cooperated by producing some of the cheapest gasoline in years. Consumers may not have even noticed a nickel or dime boost in Idaho fuel taxes. Even the political calendar was friendly. Any lawmaker who voted to raise transportation fees would not face the voters until 2016.Yet, 11 weeks have passed by with little to show for it/ Marty Trillhaase , Lewiston Tribune. More here .
Question: Are you amazed that the 2015 Legislature hasn’t done anything so far to find revenue to fix Idaho’s road-bridge infrastructure?
* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Huckleberries Online." Read all stories from this blog