State legislators who believe they are doing Idahoans a favor by delaying a major road improvement program that would require higher fuel taxes are actually hurting taxpayers.
Just by delaying action for a year, as they did in the 2008 session, state lawmakers have saddled taxpayers with unnecessary added costs. Oil used in road materials has skyrocketed in cost, meaning each dollar that would've been spent a year ago won't now go as far, and more funds will be needed for equivalent improvements.
With one in five miles of state roads below standard, untold thousands of extra dollars also are spent on fuels because driving efficiency is reduced. The Idaho Transportation Department also estimates that half the state's bridges are near the end of their useful lives and must be replaced.
The $240 million road improvement program proposed to lawmakers in January by Gov. Butch Otter is bound to balloon by the upcoming 2009 session because of increased materiel and labor costs. The state fuel tax of 25 cents per gallon hasn't changed since 1996 and vehicle licenses haven't increased since 1997.
Now Gov. Otter wisely has begun a push months before next year's legislative session to persuade lawmakers that a crisis in road funding exists.
Had lawmakers been forward looking with gradual increases in taxes and adequate road improvements each year along the way, the cost shock now facing taxpayers because of political dawdling could have been avoided.
Does penny wise and pound foolish come to mind?
