Trucking Group Pushes for an Increase to Idaho’s Gas Tax

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A trucking group says Idaho's 25-cent-per-gallon gas tax ought to be hiked 6 cents a gallon. That's according to the Idaho Trucking Association's longshot measure introduced Thursday in the House Transportation Committee, to do it over the next three years. They pitched the bill on grounds Idaho should get started on tackling an estimated annual $262 million backlog of road and bridge projects. Still, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has already said highway funding probably isn't a 2014 issue. Back in 2009, the Legislature killed his grand transportation funding package. And Otter's already said he wants to study the matter further, before hatching another gambit. Against this backdrop, Idaho Transportation Department director Brian Ness said Thursday he hopes to get the roads-funding conversation started — and this trucking bill could help.