The House has passed the resolution calling for an interim committee to study transportation funding; HCR 31 passed on a 61-5 vote. "We think it's a step to bring this transportation discussion to a close for this session," House Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, told the House. Rep. Brnden Durst, D-Boise, spoke against the resolution, saying it doesn't mention the need to look into local-option funding for transportation. House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, said he voted against the resolution when it was introduced in the Ways & Means Committee, but is having a change of heart, and thinks some good could from such an interim study committee. However, he warned House members "not to deceive themselves that this is likely going to resolve the issue" or end the current impasse between the House and the governor over transportation funding.

"We have a looming transportation funding issue lying ahead of us," Roberts said. "My hope is that this move towards an interim committee will bring some good minds together outside of the legislative pressure that we deal with here in the legislative session, that we can sit down and we can come up with some long term types of funding mechanisms. ... I believe that this is a tool to put us on the road toward adjourning. ... The House has spoken on transportation funding many times this session, especially on fuel tax."

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