Finally, a deal everyone can live with. House members held the line, and there will be no gas tax for the moment. They did leave the question open to discussion- long term solutions will have to be found.

Summary of the deal:

Lawmakers have agreed to take part in two task forces this summer focused on transportation. While this deal will not end the debate, even after the legislature approved roughly $55 million in additional funding for the maintenance and preservation of our transportation infrastructure, it will allow Idaho lawmakers to end the session while providing the Governor and the Idaho Transportation Department an unprecedented amount of money for Idaho roads. One task force will look for dedicated funding sources for Idaho State Police and Parks and Recreation. The $21 million from the gas tax that is currently used to fund those agencies will be shifted to fund road and bridge maintenance beginning in 2010. The task force will include eight lawmakers, four each from the House and Senate. The other task force will be appointed by Governor Otter, and will look for long term solutions to Idaho's transportation needs. It will consist of five House members, five Senators and five non lawmakers.

Thank Heavens- at 30,000 per day, the standoff was getting expensive. It is interesting to note that two young Canyon County Legislators were named as a part of the coalition that held the line against new taxes- Brent Crane and Steve Kren certainly attracted attention this session.