Lawmaker: Idaho likely to delay shifting gas tax from police, parks to roads

Idaho likely to delay shifting gas tax for roads

BOISE, Idaho — A plan to shift about $20 million in gas taxes from the Idaho State Police and the Department of Parks and Recreation to road construction starting this July is likely to be delayed at least one year, if it survives at all.

That was the message from Rep. Maxine Bell, a Jerome Republican who helped lead a summer committee directed to find a way to replace about $15 million annually for the state police and another $4.3 million with which Parks and Recreation now maintains trails.

Bell’s recommendation to Idaho legislative leaders Tuesday to delay the measure’s effective date until at least July 1, 2011, would largely undo the highway funding deal Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and the Idaho House struck to end the 2009 Legislature.

Off-road vehicle users protested vehemently at the prospect of seeing their gas tax money shifted elsewhere.

Bell said their arguments made sense, adding “We frankly felt that they had a deal.”