Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

House Bill 312 was a give away to special interests who want heavier and heavier trucks on our roads, forcing us to build stronger roads and bridges at the expense of passenger vehicle owners. The bill raises over $94 Million in new transportation funds to be used exclusively for road and bridge maintenance and replacement. It increases passenger vehicle registration fees by $21.00, or 43% to 87% depending on the vehicle. Commercial vehicle registration fees increased by $25.00, or less than ½ of 1% on big trucks, even though these trucks result in far more damage and repair costs for our roads than do passenger vehicles. The bill also imposes a surcharge on electric ($140.00) and hybrid ($75.00) vehicles over and above the increased registration fees, increases fuel taxes by 7 cents per gallon and, for the first time, takes up to $55 Million from our schools and other general government operations for road repairs.

Although the Transportation Department agrees I-84 will be in gridlock within 10 years unless the Treasure Valley has a much more robust public transportation system, the bill did virtually nothing on this issue. I opposed this bill because of the reduction in money available for education, the unfair registration fee increases on passenger vehicles, the exorbitant surcharges on electric and hybrid vehicles, and the failure to do anything meaningful for public transportation.

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