Calling it an "ideal time" to increase the 25-cent gas tax due to the lowest gas prices in five years, Rep. Linder Bateman (R-Idaho Falls) said legislators will have to "bite the bullet" to address aging road and bridge infrastructure.
"The issue is aging infrastructure with insufficient resources to maintain it let alone to improve it," said Bruce King from the Idaho Transportation Department.
Making the case for a gas tax increase, though not indicating by how much, Bateman said, "I think the need is there, and I think that even among some of my more conservative colleagues, we're seeing the need for some kind of increase in highway funding."
"We have a 25-cent gas tax that will not buy nearly what it did in 1996 (when it was set)," said Bateman.
Local New 8 indicates that "this is going to be a big issue during the upcoming legislative session," though it was barely mentioned in a Capital Press article listing the top agenda items for the 2015 Idaho legislative session.
"Republican Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter proposed raising the gas tax a few years ago, and got a lot of heat," reports News 8.
Otter's predecessor, Gov. Phil Batt, for whom the Idaho Transportation Department’s headquarters was renamed in June, 2013, urged legislators to boost the gas tax at that time, reported The Spokesman-Review, and he got some, but evidently not enough support.
“...Idahoans in early days were willing to tax themselves to pay the (roads) bill,” Batt told the crowd gathered for the building renaming ceremony. “Now, adopting the model of the federal government, we’d rather do nothing or borrow enough money to get by.”
I think he’s absolutely correct,” said Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise. House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, said, “This generation cannot duck our responsibility to maintain the investment that previous generations have put into our roads, so when the time’s right, I’m optimistic that we’ll step up.”
Notwithstanding the support of the present and former governors and some legislators, the gas tax wasn't taken up—perhaps because 2014 was an election year, noted Batt. With no election this year, and as of Jan. 4, gas prices averaging $2.03 statewide per gallon statewide with many stations selling for less than $2, and predicted to drop further, will the legislature do what Bateman suggests—"bite the bullet?" Stay tuned....
Hat tip to AASHTO Daily Transportation Update
FULL STORY: Idaho Transportation Department, lawmakers push for fuel tax
Idaho Surprise: Gas Tax Hike Signed Into Law
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.
Businesses Want Vermont to Adopt Nation's First Carbon Tax
Vermont's legislature will take up the carbon tax proposal this week. The tax is construed as largely revenue neutral, i.e., offset by tax decreases and credits, and apply to heating and transportation fuels. Gov. Peter Shumlin has doubts.
Deep Cut Proposed for California's Gas Tax
A proposal to cut the gas tax by 21 percent would dig a huge hole in the state's transportation budget. It comes from a requirement in 2010 fuel tax swap legislation that doubled the excise tax while reducing the sales tax on gas by 6 percent.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
Fair Housing Cannot Take a Back Seat to ‘Build, Baby, Build’
If we overlook fair housing principles in the plan to build US housing back better, we risk ending up right back where we started.
LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan
The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.
Austin’s Proposed EV Charging Rules Regulate Station Locations, Size
City planners say the new rules would ensure an efficient distribution of charging infrastructure across the city and prevent an overconcentration in residential areas.
Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient
A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
