Governors see highway funds as stimulants

The Bush administration cautioned U.S. governors that pumping up spending on federal highway projects won't necessarily stimulate the economy.

There was plenty of sentiment for roadwork as a means of getting the U.S. economy back in shape among the state leaders gathered at the National Governors Association meeting this week in Washington.

Increased highway spending would theoretically kill two birds with one stone by providing high-wage construction jobs while making needed repairs and upgrades to the nation's highways and bridges.

But U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters told the governors that highway projects require a great deal of planning before significant numbers of workers can be hired, Stateline.org reported Tuesday.

Some Republican governors who wanted Washington to hold the line on spending supported Peters' caveats but other governors said they would lobby Congress and major presidential candidates for more transportation resources.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International