Local and State Leaders Join Forces on Transit
By Cynthia Sewell, The Idaho Statesman, Boise
Jan. 9–A local coalition for public transit has outgrown its name — and is bringing in more statewide support for its issues.
The Treasure Valley Coalition for Regional Public Transportation is now Moving Idaho Forward, a statewide group dedicated to giving local governments the ability to ask voters to raise the sales tax in their communities for road and transit improvements.
The idea, pushed for years by Boise leaders, was handed a blow this week when Gov. Butch Otter said he supported local taxes for transportation, but left out public transit.
Rexburg Mayor Shawn Larsen, Twin Falls Mayor Lance Clow and Kermit Kiebert, a former state senator and state transportation director from North Idaho, joined Caldwell Mayor Garret Nancolas and Chuck Winder as coalition co-chairs.
The Association of Idaho Cities, Idaho Association of Counties and Idaho Association of Highway Districts also have joined the coalition.
This week, Caldwell City Council and Ada County Board of Commissioners approved resolutions supporting the concept of allowing the voters to decide whether to pass a local sales tax to fund road and transit projects.
Meridian and Boise city councils are slated to consider similar resolutions this month.
"Together, we’re telling the Legislature that we’d like to be able to put this issue up for a vote of the people — so taxpayers can decide the fate of the local option tax once and for all," said Ada County Commission Chairman Fred Tilman, a former state legislator.
Cynthia Sewell: 377-6428
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