I-35W Bridge Collapse; the aftermath; Oberstar's gas tax may hit some political potholes; Iron Range Rep. Jim Oberstar, chair of the House Transportation Committee, wants a 5-cent-a-gallon increase to shore up the nation's bridges. But his long-sought proposal will be a tough sell in Washington.(NEWS)

From: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) | Date: August 11, 2007| Author: | Copyright information

Byline: Kevin Diaz; Staff Writer

Washington, D.C. -- It's the cash, not the corrosion.

Lawmakers returning to Washington next month aren't likely to disagree that the nation's aging roads and bridges need some expensive TLC. The fight will be over the money to pay for it.

Driving the debate will be Minnesota Democrat Jim Oberstar, the powerful House Transportation Committee chairman who has suggested a temporary 5-cent-a-gallon gas tax for a national reconstruction program. But if Oberstar's idea were a car, it would be headed for some familiar political potholes.

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