BOISE -- Cities, counties and public hospitals are
pushing an amendment to the Idaho Constitution to make it easier
for them to take on debt without a vote of the people, as long as
taxpayer money isn't used to cover the payments.

A similar measure fell a single vote short of the two-thirds
majority needed in the Senate last year.

The push, which would allow municipalities to build
revenue-generating structures such as parking garages, comes after
a 2006 Idaho Supreme Court ruling that concluded the Constitution
now forbids such projects.

David Frazier, a Boise activist who won the 2006 case, opposes
the measure introduced by Rep. Fred Wood, a Twin Falls Republican.
Frazier contends cities should have to ask voter permission.

"And I want to make it clear the only thing I'm looking at is to preserve the right of citizens to vote," Frazier told CBS 2. "It has nothing to do with any specific project."

There are several court cases pending that may be affected by
the measure.

Wood told CBS 2 the voters will still be calling the shots, because they would have to approve the constitutional amendment in 2010 if it clears the legislature this session.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)