Idaho House Transportation Bill Would Raise Fuel Tax

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho House leaders have unveiled their proposal to pump $84 million each year into transportation funding, the third sweeping piece of legislation introduced this week hoping to address Idaho's multi-million dollar transportation shortfall.

House Majority Caucus Chair John Vander Woude from Nampa presented the bill Wednesday. The bill relies on a variety of fee and tax increases to create new revenue to pay for Idaho's bridge and road repairs. The House Ways and Means approved introducing the measure, but the bill still needs to survive both chambers before the Idaho Legislature's looming adjournment.

Vander Woude's proposal calls for a 5 cent hike to the state's gas tax in fiscal year 2016. The bill does not meet Idaho $262 million annual transportation shortfall, about which officials have warned lawmakers since 2010.