State Law Preempts Federal Transit Relief Funding in Idaho

Kevin Fixler reports on a dilemma facing transportation planners in Idaho as Congress considers the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act.

If the funding package passes and becomes law, it would guarantee Idaho billions of dollars over the next five years toward roads, bridges and other major infrastructure projects. Tens of millions of dollars for expansions of the state’s broadband internet and electric vehicle charging networks are also part of the hefty package, as is almost $200 million toward public transit improvements, according to a White House fact sheet.

Fixler notes that the earmarking process has already aquired funding for a host of projects around the state, including the Treasure Valley improvement project, which "imagines installing passenger shelters and bus pullouts, as well as real-time electronic route information at stops, to help build upon Valley Regional Transit’s ridership."

However, another list of projects that could potentially be funded by the federal infrastructure bill is off the table, due to a state law that prohibits local voters from implementing local sales taxes to to fund services, including transportation.

Matt Stoll, executive director of COMPASS, the region’s transportation planning agency, said this factor is the primary reason why expansions of the Treasure Valley’s public transit network remain stuck in neutral. The statewide shortcoming also prevents agencies such as VRT from applying for grants and other competitive pots of federal money to support the system, because the agency does not have the matching funds — from 20% up to 50% of the award — it needs to qualify.

The article includes more details on the state of transportation funding in a state that grew by 17 percent in the past decade, according to 2020 Census data.