Idaho Gov. Butch Otter is hoping meetings like those in Caldwell, Coeur d’Alene, and Lewiston this week will drum up support among residents for new fee or tax hikes aimed at improving the state’s roads and bridges.
Otter has made a projected $240 million annual shortfall in transportation infrastructure funding his main priority, after failing to win support for increased fees and taxes for roads in the 2008 Legislature.
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter comments
At meetings this week, people who attended offered several ideas on improving Idaho’s highways, including erecting fewer stoplights, making contributions to new road building and maintenance voluntary and boosting mass transit. Otter is waiting for similar meetings elsewhere in Idaho before crafting a final proposal.
Otter continues
Meetings are also scheduled next week in Idaho Falls and Pocatello; and Aug. 5 in Twin Falls.
For more information, visit the ITD Web site at itd.idaho.gov.
