Bush rejects raising gas tax for now

WASHINGTON – President Bush dismissed Thursday raising the federal gasoline tax to repair the nation


Bush was responding to a reporter’s question at a White House press conference. The question referred to last week’s collapse of the span over the Mississippi River at Minneapolis.

About $24 billion, or 8 percent of the last $286 billion highway bill, was devoted to highway and bridge projects singled out by lawmakers. The balance is sent in the form of grants to states, which then decide how it will be spent. Federal money accounts for about 45 percent of all infrastructure spending.

AP