Fuel tax increase would help Idaho residents

I would like to speak on behalf of Idaho’s forest products business sector and thank elected officials who found the political courage to vote in favor of the governor’s fuel tax increase bill last week. Even though the bill was unpopular, and was ultimately defeated, these legislators had the courage and will to stand up and be counted.

Shame on the Idaho legislators who were too weak-willed to do the right thing for the needs and the safety of northern Idaho residents. We need an improved and strengthened infrastructure here, and Gov. Butch Otter and the Idaho Legislature need to know that we support them in northern Idaho. Idaho’s roads and bridges are absolutely necessary for meeting the transportation needs of all Idahoans. They are also necessary for our forest products businesses. Logging, trucking and milling industries are some of Idaho’s largest employers, and we are particularly dependent on well-built, properly maintained state roads and highways. These businesses and many others in Idaho rely on truck transport of goods and services, as well as the safe movement of workers and employees. Idaho’s roads, bridges and infrastructure are falling apart. U.S. 95 needs to be patched in places and widened, the Dover Bridge needs to be replaced, U.S. 2 is deteriorating-and we need to do something about it. We must recognize that the Idaho Transportation Department has a backlog, and will require additional state funding to accomplish necessary infrastructure maintenance, replacement and improvements. To meet this need, I support Governor Otter’s proposals to raise more funds, and I hope that I am not alone in this endeavor. I know that everyone is financially strapped right now, and no one wants to pay more taxes to the state. However, there is a greater issue at stake here. Our infrastructure is crumbling, and we have to step up to the plate and find a way to resolve this issue. It may not be popular or widely supported, but it is the right thing to do for Idaho. Our elected officials work for us, and they need to find ways to increase revenues for maintenance of our current roads.

KEN CARTER

Sandpoint