'Tolls Not Gas Tax', Says Bush

"The White House says more tolls and public-private partnerships can solve perhaps the biggest problem confronting the nation's aging infrastructure.

The administration's proposal comes as Congress gears up to start work later this year on a six-year transportation spending bill that could cost well more than $400 billion. The last multiyear bill, which expires in September 2009, carried a $286 billion tab.

Earlier this year, a bipartisan commission concluded the nation is spending only about 40% of what is needed to reduce congestion, improve safety and spur economic growth.[See related link].

Transportation Secretary Mary Peters says gas-tax rates should hold steady -- at 18.4 cents a gallon for regular gasoline and 24.4 cents a gallon for diesel, where they have stood for more than a decade -- and private money and toll revenue can address any needed increases in funding."

Thanks to Mike Keenly