Idaho House kills 2 cent gas tax increase; "irresponsible," Otter says

The Idaho House killed on a 37-32 vote a plan to raise the state's 25-cent-per-gallon gas tax by 2 cents Thursday morning.

Gov. Butch Otter was quick to respond: “First let me thank the 32 House members who showed today that they understand the issue and the stakes," he said in a statement issued by his office. "I appreciate their patience, leadership, and commitment to doing the right thing. That being said, I am very disappointed by the outcome of today’s vote. Employers, local leaders and other concerned citizens from throughout Idaho have helped me assemble a mountain of information to make the case over the past year. A legislative audit confirmed the need. For months now we have made every compromise, addressed every legitimate concern and provided every alternative that opponents wanted. Instead of working in the best interest of Idaho, 37 members of the House continue finding new excuses to do nothing. That is irresponsible. I have done and will continue doing everything I can. It is the responsibility of all of us — including those 37 House members — to act on the real needs of the people we serve. This is a serious and immediate issue of safety, of economic recovery and future prosperity, and of whether we are going to be responsible stewards of a $16 billion investment that generations of Idaho taxpayers have left in our care or passive witnesses to, and victims of, its continuing deterioration. We must not and I will not ignore reality. I will continue working with those legislators who understand the problem and are willing to provide leadership and solutions to meet our responsibilities.”

Nampa Republican Rep. Steve Kren said he was voting the way the people who elected him would want.

"I'm not looking at it as being irresponsible," he said. "I'm being responsible to my constituents and voting the way they're communicating to me. They're hurting. They're struggling."

The 2-cent increase would have generated about $18 million per year for state and local road repair and maintenance.

Otter's 7-cent proposal failed in the House 43-27 on March 19.

The House has also voted down 5-cent and 4-cent increases, when they were proposed as amendments.