[Vision2020] Otter Has Plan to Raise Millions for Roads

Thu Feb 28 21:11:29 PST 2008

Kit,

  Do you think that charging people more for gas is something that most Idahoans can afford? I cannot, that is for sure. I am having to change jobs because I cannot afford the trip anymore. I make about $7 an hour some days because of my gas bill driving.

  The problem with the studded tires taxation is that many people will not be able to afford the tires and will go without. This will increase the amount of accidents and deaths on the roads, ultimately costing Idaho taxpayers and those with medical and vehicle insurance more than what you would save charging more for studded tires. Instead of fining people that try to make are roads more safe, why not make those that make our roads less safe pay more? Say, increase fines for other motor violations, like speeding, drinking and driving, and aggressive driving?

  Best Regards,

  Donovan

Craine Kit <kcraine at verizon.net> wrote:
  I agree with the Governor that we need to raise money to fix the 
roads. However, I think it should be done by charging for potential 
damage. That would be a combination of charging licence fees based on 
the weight of the vehicle, a surcharge on the purchase of studded 
tires, and a small increase in the gas tax.

Kit Craine

On Feb 27, 2008, at 11:52 AM, Tom Hansen wrote:

> From today’s (February 26, 2008) Spokesman Review –
>
>
>
> “Proposal includes increasing vehicle registration fee to $150”
>
>
>
> Remember the sole-parent, hard-working Idaho waiter(ress) example I 
> presented earlier? Remember how (s)he drops off his/her child at a 
> day care center (that does not require background investigations of 
> its employees), working as a waiter(ress) for $3.50 an hour (since 
> Idaho allows employers to include anticipated tips as part of their 
> employee’s income)? Well . . . that same waiter(ress) must pay 
> $150 minimum each year to keep his/her car on the road so shat (s) 
> he can get to work.
>
>
>
> If Governor Otter truly does wish to stay in step with local 
> states, I suggest he increase minimum wage to $8.00 an hour and 
> start taxing services (i.e. attorneys), instead of dumping the 
> financial burden on those who so sorely cannot afford it.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> Otter has plan to raise millions for roads
>
> Proposal includes increasing vehicle registration fee to $150
>
>
>
> John Miller
>
> Associated Press
>
> February 27, 2008
>
>
>
> BOISE – Gov. Butch Otter is touting fee increases he says will help 
> raise an additional $202 million annually by 2011 to maintain 
> Idaho's roads and bridges, including a plan for substantially 
> higher registration fees for cars.
>
>
>
> In addition to those hikes, proposals discussed at a meeting 
> Tuesday of the House and Senate transportation committees to 
> increase money for roads also include a 4 percent rental car tax 
> and increasing fees on commercial truckers.
>
>
>
> The Idaho Transportation Department estimates it will have an 
> annual $200 million highway funding shortfall in coming years. If 
> Idaho doesn't take action to bridge the gap, officials say the only 
> other alternative is to develop a strategic withdrawal from 
> maintaining some roads so the state has enough cash left over for 
> its most-important thoroughfares.
>
>
>
> "There are plenty of projects we could do, if we had the money to 
> do them," Darrell Manning, the chairman of the Idaho Transportation 
> Board, told lawmakers. "We have procrastinated too long."
>
>
>
> According to Otter's proposals, he's pushing a 4 percent tax on 
> rental cars that would raise about $1.3 million annually.
>
>
>
> Otter also wants to gradually boost fees on commercial truckers, 
> raising $25 million in the 12 months starting July 1 and increasing 
> the proceeds to $50 million by 2011. About $22 million would come 
> from light trucks, with the rest from larger tractor trailers. 
> Otter hasn't proposed specific legislation; instead he's working 
> with lawmakers and the trucking industry to come up with a package 
> that accomplishes his goals.
>
>
>
> "We wanted to find some middle ground," said Sen. Tim Corder, R- 
> Mountain Home and a trucking company owner who has been helping 
> draft proposals for his industry.
>
>
>
> By far the largest piece of Otter's package to increase roads 
> revenue calls for boosting registration fees for personal vehicles 
> to a flat rate of $150 annually, from between $24 and $48 now, 
> depending on a car's model year. After the changes, Idaho would 
> rank just 17th among states in registration costs, said Clete 
> Edmunson, Otter's transportation policy adviser.
>
>
>
> "Even by increasing revenue up to $150, it's still fair and it's 
> still equitable with the surrounding states," Edmunson said.
>
>
>
> Some lawmakers already indicated opposition to trying to raise the 
> lion's share of new revenue by increasing registration fees for cars.
>
>
>
> Rep. Phylis King, D-Boise, said it made little sense that people 
> who drive their cars very little should pay the same as those who 
> use their cars every day for long distances.
>
>
>
> "My neighbor who is 90 years old drives very little," King said. 
> "So why not raise your gas tax? I think for seniors, it would be 
> fairer to charge per mile."
>
>
>
> Edmunson countered that Otter is philosophically opposed to raising 
> the state's 25-cent-a-gallon gas tax, which hasn't been increased 
> since 1996. Transportation Department officials also contend 
> revenue from Idaho's gas tax is stagnating and can't be counted on 
> in years to come, especially as cars improve their gas mileage.
>
>
>
> -----------------------
>
>
>
> Details of Otter's plan
>
>
>
> Registration fees: The current state registration fee – excluding 
> county charges – would be increased to $150, from $24 to $48 now, 
> depending on the car's model year. The plan would raise $134 
> million more in revenue by fiscal year 2011, according to the 
> governor's estimates.
>
>
>
> Rental cars: Rental cars would be taxed at 4 percent; the resulting 
> $1.3 million in proceeds would be deposited directly in the State 
> Highway Account.
>
>
>
> Truckers: Gov. Otter, lawmakers and the trucking industry are 
> working on a plan that would raise $25 million in fiscal year 2009 
> from commercial trucks, with revenue rising to $50 million by 2011. 
> About $22 million would come from fees on light trucks, with the 
> rest coming from larger tractor-trailers.
>
>
>
> ISP shift: Otter wants to shift $16.7 million in funding for the 
> Idaho State Police that now comes from transportation-related fees. 
> Instead, the money would be taken from the state general fund. That 
> would free up money for road work. The Joint Finance-Appropriations 
> budget writing committee has already expressed skepticism over the 
> shift, recommending against it.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow.
>
>
>
> Tom Hansen
>
> Moscow, Idaho
>
>
>
>
>
> "If not us, who?
> If not now, when?"
>
> - Unknown
>
>
>
>
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