Highway Funding... The Governor's Take:
Today we received a copy of a press release from the Governor's office indicating that we in the Legislature are “wringing our hands” when it comes to funding Idaho's Highways. Many of us take issue with that characterization.
Thus far, the ideas that have come from the Executive branch for funding the ITD identified need of an additional $200M/yr have come to a total of about $20M/yr, far short of what that same branch of government is telling the Legislature the need is. The old game of “who’s got the Monkey” comes to mind here…
If we want more funding to be considered, we need to put the Executive Branch cards on the table so we can all see what we are going to play with. The Legislature has the Governor's budget proposal and it doesn't include the extra $200M, or where it should come from. Many of us are not sure just what magic hat that $200M is supposed to be pulled out of...
Thus far, the ideas that have come from the Executive branch for funding the ITD identified need of an additional $200M/yr have come to a total of about $20M/yr, far short of what that same branch of government is telling the Legislature the need is. The old game of “who’s got the Monkey” comes to mind here…
If we want more funding to be considered, we need to put the Executive Branch cards on the table so we can all see what we are going to play with. The Legislature has the Governor's budget proposal and it doesn't include the extra $200M, or where it should come from. Many of us are not sure just what magic hat that $200M is supposed to be pulled out of...
Getting $200M of new money from 1.4 million Idahoan taxpayers facing an unsure economy, well... you do the math. I think we need to find spending savings and combine that with a number much more feasable to the taxpayers and users.
There are some ideas floating around in the Legislature that might be able to find more money for our Highways, but most of those pull from the pockets of the taxpayers who are the first to feel the "cooling economy". If increased registrations or fuel taxes are the plan, we need to start working on those to see if we can implement those plans, let the people see them and start the dialog.
We had assurances last year that ITD would be doing a better job with the funds that they currently get and I think that they are. They showed us where they were able to find $50M in "savings" from practices that can be changed. However, we don't have the time (or money) to wait for a slow movement to efficiency... we must get a fresh set of eyes on the way we are currently spending ~$700M on our infrastructure to ensure we are delivering the biggest bang for the buck to those that pay the bills.
We are working on a form of a performance audit that will provide the department, Executive and Legislative branches ideas for better operations, policies and spending practices to ensure we are on a track for success. "If we always do, what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always got" my Dad used to say... it's time for a fresh vision and positive change, we can get that from some outside professional eyes.
We need to not only see some more ideas for "finding funds" from the Executive branch that needs it, but we need to ensure that the funds that we are pointing at the roads today are being used where they are needed in the most efficient ways possible.
Those that are "first in line" to feel a "cooling economy" are the taxpaying citizens of Idaho. Some seem to forget that while the State's revenue to be spent will suffer, it must be considered "second in line" when it comes to the "cooling economy".
We must remember that it's always easier to say we need more money than it is to find ways to get it, and especially in a "cooling economy" that’s a bit more than a “bump in the road”. The economy is the basis for the collections of taxes from business and our citizens; State’s spending must be controlled to match the economy, not the other way around.
The taxpayers of Idaho expect that if they are going to be pulling more coin out of their pockets for transportation that it will be used wisely... and we must deliver that to them.
Your thoughts?
There are some ideas floating around in the Legislature that might be able to find more money for our Highways, but most of those pull from the pockets of the taxpayers who are the first to feel the "cooling economy". If increased registrations or fuel taxes are the plan, we need to start working on those to see if we can implement those plans, let the people see them and start the dialog.
We had assurances last year that ITD would be doing a better job with the funds that they currently get and I think that they are. They showed us where they were able to find $50M in "savings" from practices that can be changed. However, we don't have the time (or money) to wait for a slow movement to efficiency... we must get a fresh set of eyes on the way we are currently spending ~$700M on our infrastructure to ensure we are delivering the biggest bang for the buck to those that pay the bills.
We are working on a form of a performance audit that will provide the department, Executive and Legislative branches ideas for better operations, policies and spending practices to ensure we are on a track for success. "If we always do, what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always got" my Dad used to say... it's time for a fresh vision and positive change, we can get that from some outside professional eyes.
We need to not only see some more ideas for "finding funds" from the Executive branch that needs it, but we need to ensure that the funds that we are pointing at the roads today are being used where they are needed in the most efficient ways possible.
Those that are "first in line" to feel a "cooling economy" are the taxpaying citizens of Idaho. Some seem to forget that while the State's revenue to be spent will suffer, it must be considered "second in line" when it comes to the "cooling economy".
We must remember that it's always easier to say we need more money than it is to find ways to get it, and especially in a "cooling economy" that’s a bit more than a “bump in the road”. The economy is the basis for the collections of taxes from business and our citizens; State’s spending must be controlled to match the economy, not the other way around.
The taxpayers of Idaho expect that if they are going to be pulling more coin out of their pockets for transportation that it will be used wisely... and we must deliver that to them.
Your thoughts?
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1 comment:
The cost of superfluous regulations comes to mind as the most needed analysis. I mean why do we need environmental impact studies on the widening of I84? What about minority/gender setasides? What value do Idaho taxpayers derive from these? Road money should be spent on gravel and asphalt, not consultants, lawyers and various other leeches.
Owyheewine
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