Idaho Surprise: Gas Tax Hike Signed Into Law

The legislature passed the seven-cent increase on April 11, the final day of the legislative session. Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed the bill on April 21, also increasing registration fees by $21. On April 1, the bill had been considered dead.

1 minute read

April 24, 2015, 7:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid

"It was a last-minute compromise before this year’s legislative session ended in the early morning hours on Saturday," writes Jessica Robinson of Northwest Public Radio. "The measure promises to raise around $95 million a year for Idaho roads and bridges. But many lawmakers left unsatisfied."

Republican Sen. Marv Hagedorn said 7 cents per gallon would only scratch the surface of what Idaho needs to maintain its highways. He urged lawmakers to craft a more ambitious plan.

On April 1, Betsy Z. Russell of The Spokesman-Review wrote, "It appears that the majority of the Idaho Senate is not inclined to … support the legislation,” Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, announced. "It will not be reconsidered this session."

Governor Otter explains in his April 21 transmittal letter [PDF], the legislation HB 312a [PDF] was the result of a House-Senate conference committee.

Add another state to the growing, albeit slowly, list of Republican state government trifectas that have increased gas taxes this year.

The signed legislation will increase the current 25-cent motor fuel (gas, diesel, et.al) taxes, most unchanged since 1996, to two cents above the national average of 30-cents per gallon [PDF].

Russell clarifies that both the fuel taxes and registration increases take effect on July 1.

FULL STORY: Northwest Public Radio: Idaho Lawmakers Approve Gas Tax Increase, Adjourn Session [April 13, 2015]

Thursday, April 23, 2015 in Northwest Public Radio

Government / Politics Infrastructure Transportation Idaho State Gas Tax Increase State Gas Tax Legislation State Gas Tax Idaho Legislature Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter State Government Trifecta Republican View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.