Lawmakers Looking at Three Transportation Funding Proposals

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — House lawmakers are courting three last-minute proposals promising to fund Idaho's transportation shortfall as the legislative session inches closer to its expected March 27 end-date.

The House Transportation and Defense Committee introduced two proposals Tuesday. One plan would remove $120 million from the general fund and designate it as dedicated transportation funding. The second proposal would use a combination of new tax revenue and a temporary fuel tax increase to reach roughly $70 million.

Meanwhile, Republican legislative leaders are expected to reveal legislation on Wednesday that would rely solely on higher fuel taxes and registration fees to raise $100 million. Idaho has had a $262 million annual transportation shortfall since 2010.