The motorized recreation users in Idaho have been paying for trails and facilities for years. They have paid through off-highway vehicle and boat registrations. They have also paid through the use of the fuel tax for gas burned in their vehicles.

In the past Idaho citizens were able to get a refund of the gas tax that is paid on fuel that is not burned on roads. Some folks still get refunds, but the recreation users agreed to give up their refunds if the money went to trails and facilities. The fuel tax which transferred to Idaho Parks & Recreation amounted to $4.8 million. About one third of the money went to trails. A third went to boating facilities and a third went to pay for facilities in state parks. The process has worked well for decades and has benefited thousands of Idahoans.

All of that is now coming to an end because the legislature took the money and put it into the road account. We need to tell our legislators that it's time to give back our gas tax! All except the three North Idaho legislators who didn't fold under pressure and voted no. That's right; they voted no on the bill to take the money. They include Senator Broadsword from Sagle, Representative Harwood from St. Maries and Representative Sayler from Coeur d'Alene. Representative Clark was excused and did not vote on the bill. Every other legislator in Districts 1-5 supported transferring the money.

Legislators, it's time to give back our gas tax!

FRANK AXTELL President, North Idaho ATV Association