Story Created: Apr 21, 2009 at 3:57 PM MDT
Story Updated: Apr 21, 2009 at 10:22 PM MDT
Gov. Butch Otter vetoes a bill Monday.
The Republican governor has now vetoed a total of 35 bills in less than two days. He says the state cannot simply pass the problems of the state's roadways on to future generations.
It's a knock down drag out fight over Idaho's roads. In one corner Governor Otter.
"They, lawmakers, need to know that I am serious, they need to know that this is a process that's going to continue to go on," he said.
In the other other corner House lawmakers. Both fighting over what they believe is most important to Idaho residents.
"It's difficult for us. Most of the debate we've heard in the house is now is not the time. The economy is not good," said Representative Lawerence Denney, Speaker of the House.
The House rejected a proposal for the sixth time to raise the gas tax. But Governor Otter fired back, slamming down his veto stamp again.
"I don't know what else I can possibly do," he said.
In less than two days Governor Otter has vetoed more than 30 budget bills, hoping to drive home his point, Idaho roads need money and repairs.
But House lawmakers are holding firm, saying now is not the time to raise taxes.
When asked who Idahoans believe is looking out for their best interests, the Governor or House lawmakers, one Boise resident responded by saying: "We do need to look out for the residents who can't pay our gas tax but we also need better roads because driving around on them there are really bad ones that i hit a lot of the time whenever I bike," said Kim Crosby.
It remains to be seen who will win this fight.
By law, Idaho lawmakers cannot go home until they balance the state budget. That means those budget bills have to go back to the budget writers before anyone can go home.
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