After a 75-minute closed-door caucus, House Republicans emerged talking transportation funding this afternoon. “We started throwing out transportation funding options,” said House Majority Caucus Chairman John Vander Woude, R-Nampa. “What’s it going to look like?” That included questions about whether a package might include a gas tax hike, registration fee increases, and/or other options. “We didn’t have anybody that said we don’t need to fund transportation,” Vander Woude said. “We have the consensus we need to do something – it’s just a matter of how much and how.”

House Transportation Chairman Joe Palmer presented his ideas to the caucus, Vander Woude said, and members got a chance to hear what’s being considered and kick ideas around. “I just want to make sure everyone knows what the ideas are out there – so we don’t torpedo ‘em one by one,” Vander Woude said. “There may be some you have to hold your nose and vote for.”