Idaho lawmakers may reverse part of roads compromise

Come July 2010, about $4.5 million in gas-tax money that funds trails managed by Idaho Parks and Recreation and $17 million that goes to the Idaho State Police will shift to the Idaho Transportation Department for road work, but opposition from all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile enthusiasts mounts.

The Associated Press

8/13/2009

BOISE, Idaho — Shifting millions that now go to off-road trail maintenance work to fund highway repairs was part of a compromise in May that helped end a standoff between the 2009 Idaho Legislature and Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter.

But a legislative task force may recommend undoing the move as opposition from all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile enthusiasts mounts, the Spokesman-Review newspaper reported Wednesday.

“We may need to give the gas tax back to the recreationists and look for other funding,” said Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle.

Come July 2010, about $4.5 million in gas-tax money that funds trails managed by Parks and Recreation and $17 million that goes to the Idaho State Police will shift to the Idaho Transportation Department for road work.

Those who testified at the legislative panel’s first two meetings this summer have largely panned the shift of taxes on gas burned in boats, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles that now goes to various trail and search and rescue programs.

Clark Collins, founder of the Blue Ribbon Coalition and president of the Gem State ATV Association, told lawmakers that money “wouldn’t really buy a lot of miles of highway, but it buys a lot of miles of trails and trail improvements.”

Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls, favors a new funding source to replace money Idaho State Police receives from the gas tax, but he’s leaning toward undoing the trail maintenance cash shift.

For that to happen, the 2010 Legislature must approve such a move.

“I think that’s going to have to be on the table,” said Hammond, whose district includes miles of forest trails.

Still, Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, said reversing the shift would revive the very same issue — finding more cash for highway maintenance that Otter insists on — that prompted the governor to veto dozens of bills and which pushed the 2009 Legislature to 117 days, the second-longest session in state history.

“By reversing it, do we really solve anything?” Cameron said. “We have to find additional funding for transportation.”

Conservative Idaho House members including Labrador favor shifting about $25 million in sales taxes on vehicle-related purchases to pay for the gas tax shift, rather than levying a new tax.

But taxes from tire or car battery sales now go into the general fund that is growing ever-tighter.

For instance, tax revenues at the end of the 2009 fiscal year that ended June 30 came in $95 million short of previous forecasts. And further shortfalls, including a $20 million deficit in the Medicaid health-insurance program for the poor and disabled due to rising caseloads, will dent Idaho’s remaining reserves this year.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.

Follow The Trucker on Twitter at www.twitter.com/truckertalk.