Governor Bob Holden’s $650-million transportation package passes its first major hurdle inthe Legislature as the House has given it preliminary approval. State Representative Gary Wiggins of New Cambria introduced the bill on the House floor. Though a floor fight was expected, it never meterialized as Republicans kept quiet. Debate lasted only an hour and the billed passed with one vote to spare. It will ask voters to raise the sales tax by three-quarters of a cent, the gas tax by three cents, and vehicle registration fees by a third. Another vote in the House is needed before the bill can move onto the Senate.
