A bill designed to boost state spending on Pennsylvania's
transportation systems by almost 50 percent has received
resounding support from state senators.  The 45-5 vote Wednesday
sent the bill to the House, where Republican leaders are
skeptical of the $2.5 billion price tag.  Gov. Tom Corbett backs
a more modest $1.8 billion proposal. Both plans rely primarily
on increasing a wholesale gas tax by 28.5 cents a gallon and
would give Pennsylvania among the nation's highest fuel tax
rates.  Proponents say the money is badly needed, and that taxes
haven't been raised in many years.  A Transportation Department
spokesman said the agency can't provide a list of which projects
would be completed with the money. Currently, about 20 percent
of the state-maintained bridges and highways are in need of
repair.