The sales tax extension is back, but will try No. 3 be different?

Here we go again. A third time, with feeling, and a lot more asphalt.

Metro area mayors and other local leaders joined Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett this morning to announce that they're putting a one-cent, local-option sales tax extension back on the countywide ballot in November. This time, in Cedar Rapids, all of the roughly $18 million the city collects yearly would be spent on street repairs, construction and reconstruction. The mix would be different in cities such as Marion and Hiawatha, but street projects would get large shares.

Cedar Rapids has dropped the twice-defeated idea to use sales tax pennies for flood protection. Now, all roads lead to streets. Leaders are seeking a 10-year extension of the current five-year tax enacted in 2009.

And they contend they're out of decent options.

Congress, the source of critical federal transportation bucks, is not dependable, or even functional. It's been 24 years since state leaders raised the gas tax, which pays for road work in Iowa. There is no sign that's going change. Gov. Terry Branstad has provided little leadership on this issue, and no alternative plan.

Property tax reforms approved at the Statehouse may limit cities' and counties' ability to use property taxes for roads. And lawmakers have shown no interest in providing revenue alternatives.

So a local sales tax it is.

“Identifying the problem has not been the problem,” said Corbett, who hears plenty of complaints about Cedar Rapids' 630 miles of streets, 34 percent of which are in poor or fair condition. His re-election bid will be on the November ballot along with the tax. So far, he's unopposed. The tax, however, is sure to draw opposition.

“The solution to the problem is to keep the penny,” he said.

This is going to be a tough sell, if the last two votes are a guide. The final margins were tight, but opposition inside Cedar Rapids was stronger than the final score indicated. Maybe shedding the controversies swirling around flood protection plans will make a big difference. But that depends.

It depends on what sort of effort is made to sell the tax expansion. If city leaders clearly explain to voters how the money would be spent, what the top priorities are, that will help. If the city is vague, sends people to websites and gets defensive when questioned, that will not help.

Tax backers tried a quiet, under-the-radar effort in March 2012, and it failed. The tried a big, pricey effort in May 2011, and it failed. Now, they need just right.

It also depends on what sort of community conversation we get.

Is this going to be a debate over how best to renew and revitalize the city's transportation infrastructure for its future, or will it be yet another pile of votes cast as retribution for past decisions people don't like? Will voters pave streets or grind axes? Will it be generational investments or generational feuds? Will residents shoot down the extension to spite closed Second Avenue or the DoubleTree? We'll see.

Mayor Corbett said he wants an “honest, authentic” debate. So do I. But remember, that's a two-way street, likely with potholes.