A year ago, as Gov. Butch Otter was just starting to lay the groundwork for new taxes and fees for road repairs, state Controller Donna Jones went out of her way to get crosswise with the guv.

She fired out a press release touting a $247 million surplus and recommended putting $200 million into roads.

Jones didn't quite go so far this July. But with Otter and his transportation crew touring the state to get the word out about a $240-million-a-year road shortfall, Jones is again making life more difficult for Otter.

On July 14, the same day the Otter road show hit Caldwell, Jones trumpeted the state's year-end surplus of $223.8 million. (Click here for the press release.)

The suggestion — albeit unstated — is that the surplus is again a dandy way to fill the Idaho Transportation Department's budget potholes. But it seems like we're comparing apples and oranges and saying both resemble watermelons.

A little reality check:

• The surplus, while certainly robust, isn't permanent money. The state's road and bridge needs are ongoing, requiring a permanent spending solution.

• Legislators anticipated a surplus during the 2008 session, and have committed most of this money already. This is what lawmakers do with a projected surplus; they don't wait until the June 30 end of a budget year to make plans. A result, only about $50 million of this surplus is "new money. (See Heath Druzin's story for a more detailed breakdown)

• The $223.8 million surplus sits in the general fund. Idaho does not pay for highways and bridges from its general fund. Starting to use general fund dollars is a significant precedent — and a treacherous one, putting our state's road needs in direct competition with public schools, higher education, Medicaid and prisons.

Consistent with his "everything-on-the-table" mantra, Otter isn't ruling out using some surplus dollars to reduce the need for additional taxes and fees for roads.

Fair enough. But let's not fool ourselves. The state has serious highway problems, and there's not much mileage we can get from using this year's surplus dollars.