The legislature passed the seven-cent increase on April 11, the final day of the legislative session. Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed the bill on April 21, also increasing registration fees by $21. On April 1, the bill had been considered dead.
"It was a last-minute compromise before this year’s legislative session ended in the early morning hours on Saturday," writes Jessica Robinson of Northwest Public Radio. "The measure promises to raise around $95 million a year for Idaho roads and bridges. But many lawmakers left unsatisfied."
Republican Sen. Marv Hagedorn said 7 cents per gallon would only scratch the surface of what Idaho needs to maintain its highways. He urged lawmakers to craft a more ambitious plan.
On April 1, Betsy Z. Russell of The Spokesman-Review wrote, "It appears that the majority of the Idaho Senate is not inclined to … support the legislation,” Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, announced. "It will not be reconsidered this session."
Governor Otter explains in his April 21 transmittal letter [PDF], the legislation HB 312a [PDF] was the result of a House-Senate conference committee.
Add another state to the growing, albeit slowly, list of Republican state government trifectas that have increased gas taxes this year.
The signed legislation will increase the current 25-cent motor fuel (gas, diesel, et.al) taxes, most unchanged since 1996, to two cents above the national average of 30-cents per gallon [PDF].
Russell clarifies that both the fuel taxes and registration increases take effect on July 1.
Read the full story: Northwest Public Radio: Idaho Lawmakers Approve Gas Tax Increase, Adjourn Session [April 13, 2015]
Gas Tax Increase Approved in Ohio
On July 1, motorists in Ohio will pay an additional 10.5 cents per gallon to fill up, while truckers will pay 19 cents per gallon more on diesel fuel sales. Accompanying the tax hikes are two controversial provisions that DeWine chose not to veto.
Washington State to Decide on Transition From Gas Tax to Road Usage Charge
Having completed a pilot program last year, the Washington State Transportation Commission will hear a report in October and vote in December on phasing out its 49.4 cents per gallon gas tax, fourth highest in the nation but not indexed to inflation.
ICYMI: 12 States Hiked Gas Taxes on Monday
On July 1, Illinois and Ohio increased gas taxes by double digits: 19 cents per gallon and 10.5 CPG, respectively, followed by California at 5.6 CPG, all due to legislation passed this year or in 2017. Diesel tax hikes were even higher.
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