Boise Chamber Takes On Transit Tax

Nancy Vannorsdel, CEO of the the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, has endorsed a proposal to impose a half-cent sales tax for public transit in Ada and Canyon counties, citing transit as an important workforce issue for the region.

"Getting people to and from work, and having them live where they want to live, is pretty important. Transportation has become a big issue for business," said Vannorsdel.

"Vannorsdel and her board are allied with the Coalition for Regional Public Transportation, co-chaired by Home Federal Bancorp CEO Dan Stevens, former Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Chuck Winder and Caldwell Mayor Garret Nancolas.

They want to allow Valley Regional Transit, which has no taxing authority, to ask voters in November 2008 to back a half-cent sales tax. That would raise an estimated $964 million over 20 years to buy right-of-way from Boise to Caldwell, vastly improve bus service and start light-rail."

"At this writing, prospects for the bill look dim. The first, and perhaps principal, obstacle is the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. For 30 years the panel has been hostile to local-option taxation schemes, except for resort cities and a jail in Kootenai county."