Transportation coalition changes name, focus

The coalition pressing for local option tax authority to pay for transportation funding has expanded into a statewide organization and has adopted a new name: Moving Idaho Forward.

“The name was changed to more accurately reflect what we’re trying to do – the more state wide nature of what we’ve built with our coalition,” spokesman Ken Burgess said.
Last year, the group lobbied the Idaho Legislature for local option sales tax authority to fund public transportation improvements.
That effort failed to pass the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, and has evolved into new proposal for this legislative session that includes possible funding opportunities for both roadways and transit.
According to a press release from the coalition, the name change was approved at the group’s Jan. 8 meeting.
Three new members were also elected co-chairmen: Rexburg Mayor Shaun Larson, Twin Falls Mayor Lance Clow, and former legislator and Idaho Transportation Department Director Kermit Keibert of Ponderay.
Chuck Winder, Caldwell Mayor Garrett Nancolas, and Home Federal Bank President Dan Stevens will continue their work as co-chairmen of the organization.
The coalition, made up of business and community leaders, local elected officials, and transportation improvement advocates was formerly known as the Coalition for Regional Public Transportation.   
The coalition is working with legislative leadership to incorporate local option authority into a transportation funding package in this legislative session, though they don’t know when the legislation is likely to be introduced.
“We’re still working with leadership and other legislators to come forward with something all parties can agree to,” Burgess said. “We have a number of legislators interested in being sponsors. Given our experience last year we want to have all of our ducks in a row before we go forward with a committee hearing.”
Burgess did say a number of local communities in the Treasure Valley, including Ada County and the cities of Star, Meridian, Kuna and Boise, have passed resolutions supporting local option authority.
“As transportation funding shortfalls become more pronounced, more and more people are recognizing that local option funding should be a part of the transportation funding solution,” Caldwell Mayor Garrett Nancolas said in a statement. “The concept of allowing voters to decide for themselves what kind of transportation system they are willing to pay for has generated quite a bit of support around the state. It is the ultimate expression of local control.”