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Transportation Issues

Transit in Idaho

Idaho Smart Growth continues to work with a coalition of transit supporters to build support for funding transit in Idaho with a dedicated local funding source. Currently transit is funded through federal grants and as a yearly line item on local budgets. Its difficult to plan long range and to operate robust transit systems without a more certain funding source. We have been hearing from citizens, business leaders and elected officials that its time to get serious about providing transportation options. For an indepth report on this years action at the Idaho Legislature go to Transit Funding Update.

We plan to continue to work with the coalition to find funding that will be supported by the state legislature. If your interested in helping call the ISG office.

Renewal of Federal Transportation Legislation SAFETEA-LU

Waht does this new alphbet soup mean for Idaho? Renewal of federal transportation funding authorization, TEA-21 (Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century), was debated in 2003-2005 and renamed SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users).

ISG educated Idaho citizens about the impacts of this legislation and met with Idaho ’s congressional delegation to relay the concerns of those citizens. Important provisions supported by the Idaho delegation have been incorporated into the bill, they include; protecting the structure of the federal program, establishing a Safe Routes to School Program, and supporting increased transit funding. The bill was finalized and passed by both Housed of Congress in late July. For more information about the bill: FHWA Reauthorization, Surface Transportation Policy Project, American Public Transportation Association

Safe Routes to School

The spring of 2004 saw Idaho Smart Growth supporters backing legislation sponsored by Rep. Janet Miller and Sen. Elliot Werk to fund a Safe Routes to School Program for Idaho. Though no legislation was passed, the Idaho Transportation Department acted to form an advisory committee to design a Safe Routes program for the state of Idaho. ISG Co-Director Elaine Clegg was named to the Advisory Group. The group supported participation in International Walk To School Day in the Fall of 2004 and is currently working to support walk and bike to school events this spring. A Safe Routes Program was in cluded in the federal legislation and the Advisory Group is currently meeting to develop guidleines and criteria for an Idaho program.

You can find information about the Idaho Program at: Idaho Safe Routes to School

If you are interested in working with your local school or school district to particpate in International Walk to school day you can find information at: US Walk to School Day

Past Work on Transit Funding

ISG has been collaborating with transit providers and a coalition of Idahoans interested in promoting improvements in transit service in Idaho. While capital funding is available through federal grants, there is no source of decidated operating funding for transit in Idaho. The coalition supports increased transit service in Idaho communities and recognizes that funding will have to be identified for these improvements.

There is support statewide for legislation that will enable local jurisdictions to ask for a dedicated source of transit funding through a vote of the people - in short, allowing local option taxing authority specifically to fund transit operations. An interim committee was formed to study this issue over the summer of 2004. A bill will be introduced to support transit policy in the Idaho Department of Transprotation. This summer a legislative committee is studying property tax statewide and local option funding has been an issue of discussion. wE expect inititatives on transit funding this winter.

In addition many local jurisdictions are working hard with the money avaialble, general fund money from property tax and specific program money aimed at access for elders, the disabled and school students, to create robust transit programs across Idaho.