Brakes were applied to the Kootenai Technical Education Campus on Tuesday.

Lawmakers killed a bill sponsored by Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d'Alene, that would have allowed construction of the professional-technical high school in Rathdrum to start this year instead of 2012 after all the money is collected from taxpayers.

"Obviously, we are disappointed," said Post Falls Superintendent Jerry Keane, who is involved with KTEC planning. "We appreciate Sen. Goedde's efforts."

The legislation failed to muster enough votes in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

Committee members said the proposed change opened the door for revenue shortfalls if tax collections don't match expectations. They said the bill would allow money to be spent that may or may not come through.

"Objections came due to, if property tax values went down, there would not be enough cushion ... to pay for a contract for construction already let," Goedde said. "I think that certain committee members saw a ghost that, in my opinion, is not there. The chances of property values dropping to that level are pretty slim, but there are some very conservative members of that committee who are obviously concerned about that."

Goedde suggested that another lawmaker might take the lead and float a similar bill, which he would co-sponsor.

He said he didn't see the same concerns on the Senate side, and wondered if there was a way to satisfy the House's concern and bring another bill.

"I'm still interested in seeing the opportunity for construction to move forward," Goedde said.

Proponents said the need for the professional-technical programs, and consequently the school, already exists. They also argued that the bill would have allowed the KTEC group to take advantage of an optimal time to build when materials and labor are cheaper.

"It makes no sense to put the money in the bank when it can more effectively be used in negotiating the construction cost for schools," Goedde said. "Construction costs may be at a decade low."

Voters in Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene and Lakeland approved financing last year to construct the $9.5 million KTEC.

But, under current law, the project can't break ground until all the money is collected. The legislation allowed construction to start as the money is collected as long as there's no interest being paid on a loan.

The school will offer classes in skilled trades such as health occupations, welding, construction and automotive to juniors and seniors in the three districts.

The school, which will be built at the southwest corner of Lancaster and Meyer on the Rathdrum Prairie, is slated to open in 2013.