Not surprisingly, there's been a rush by some to say that we need to pay higher taxes to fund road construction.

What about "Vote Yes" in Minnesota for motor vehicle sales tax to fund roads and transit?

U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) announced a three-year, $25 billion national bridge reconstruction program financed through a temporary nickel increase in the federal gas tax. This is in addition to the gas tax increase Minnesota legislators and some media outlets are hoping for.

That's right, Jim, we're not paying enough. Stick it to us. You, too, in the Minnesota legislature. Why don't you increase subsidies to the ethonol plants, too? I'm sure your plan will be great for the economy and the "little guy."

Here's what President Bush had to say about it. "Before we raise taxes, which could affect economic growth, I would strongly urge the Congress to examine how they set priorities."

Hmm. A Congress with priorities? So maybe they could spend tax revenue on infrastructure, instead of earmarks, pet projects and catering to interest groups.

The Washington Times reports that about $24 billion, or eight percent of the last $286 billion highway bill, was devoted to highway and bridge projects singled out by lawmakers.

Wow! Is that all? Don't tell me we need to raise taxes.

The balance of the money in the highway bill is distributed through grants to states, which decide how it will be spent.

Federal money accounts for about 45 percent of all infrastructure spending.

Seems to me that somebody needs to be held accountable for not spending grants to make highway improvements on making those improvements.

What do you think?

This just in... A newspaper in Arizona is reporting that an overpass under construction on the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway in east Mesa collapsed Thursday morning, sending more than 75 yards of roadway to the ground. Nobody was injured.

In today's edition of the Pioneer Press, there's a story that's sure to upset the people trying to bring down the lieutenant governor.

It reads: "a closer look at the record throws into question the idea MnDOT could have prevented the collapse by reinforcing the Minneapolis bridge, as an outside consultant recommended. The record also casts doubt on the theory that fatigue cracks made the bridge fall."

Read the whole thing at www.twincities.com.