Senate backs emergency road bill

The Senate has voted unanimously in favor of SB 1141, the emergency road-repair bill that shifts $52 million to weather-related repairs in the current budget year.

“It’s an unusual year … and the damage is not done,” said Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, co-chair of the Legislature’s joint budget committee. “These funds were available to try to help our communities across the state that were stretched beyond their means.”

The move eliminates virtually the entire surplus that’s been building up in the state budget during nthe current fiscal year. SB 1141 now moves to the House/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise.