"It's time for the Legislature to wrap up its business and goes home." So, begins a "dear John" letter written by the GOP House Leadership team.
"As House leaders, we recognize there may be a day and time that we need
to consider raising the fuel tax to supply more revenue for our roads
and bridges. But this is not the day or time to raise them, considering
the record amount of financing available for highways in Idaho. The
votes for a fuel tax increase have not been there after multiple tries
in the House and we don’t see many colleagues changing their minds."
For the countless reasons that I hope each Representative has, you have to see their point of few. How many more votes would it take? I suppose you could speculate that at some point someone would figure out what trade off would need to be made to get some votes changes, but how much longer would that take?
"Governor Otter has made a strong statement and we respect his
convictions. But we also think the good Governor should respect the
thoughts and convictions of the majority of House members. The
overwhelming consensus is that House members strongly believe that
raising fuel taxes is the wrong thing to do during an economic
recession."
Okay, now the issue of mutual respect raises its ugly head. If you think of respect as the checks and balances designed into our system of government then maybe their point of view carries that strongest weight.
"So let’s not make this a test of political wills."
Too late for that request. It has always been a test of political wills!
"This is a citizens legislature and people in this body have jobs,
families and personal lives beyond serving. We have been in session for
more than 100 days, the second longest in Idaho’s history, and the
people want us to go home."
Well, they are right about the last part...people want them to go home.
"But make no mistake, legislators are willing to stay as long as necessary to complete the people’s work."
Translation, "but we won't back down."
There are many important bills and budgets left to be passed. (And don't forget the bills the Governor vetoed.) So, let's hope the weekend helps reason to prevail.
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