WASHINGTON IN BRIEF

Gas Tax Increase Urged To Fund Bridge Repair

The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee proposed a 5-cent increase in the federal gasoline tax to establish a trust fund for repairing or replacing structurally deficient highway bridges.

But the proposal -- made by Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.) in the wake of last week's bridge collapse in Minneapolis, which killed at least five people -- was immediately rebuffed by the committee's senior Republican.

Oberstar said the trust fund would be modeled on the federal Highway Trust Fund, which pays for building and repairing roads and bridges through the federal excise tax on gasoline, which is now 18.3 cents per gallon. Revenue from the nickel increase -- about $25 billion over three years, according to the congressman -- could not be used for anything other than bridges.

He said he hoped the idea might win support from President Bush, who vehemently opposed a 5-cent increase in gasoline taxes two years ago and vowed to veto it.

"Governor Pawlenty has had a conversion, and I expect the president will as well," Oberstar said. "At least we'll give him that opportunity. If you're not prepared to invest another 5 cents in bridge reconstruction and road reconstruction, then God help you."

Last week, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) said he is willing to reverse his opposition to a state gas tax increase.

The federal Transportation Department did not return messages seeking comment on the proposal.

Bush, French President To Meet on Vacation

President Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy will meet this weekend at the coastal Maine home that belongs to Bush's parents, the White House said yesterday.

Sarkozy is vacationing at an estate on Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, N.H., about 50 miles from Kennebunkport, Maine, where former president George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, own a seaside compound called Walker's Point.

The president is scheduled to go to Kennebunkport tomorrow and stay through the weekend for a wedding. The Bushes will have Sarkozy and his wife, Cecilia, to a private lunch on Saturday, presidential spokesman Tony Snow said. Laura Bush extended the invitation during meetings of world leaders in Germany in June, Snow said.

"The U.S. and France share the deepest of friendship," Snow said. "They've worked together since the founding of our nation to protect freedom around the world."

Farm Service Employee Draws Ire for E-Mail

A federal employee circulated an e-mail urging colleagues to lobby for the defeat of farm legislation, prompting a complaint from the National Black Farmers Association and a stern warning from Agriculture Department officials.

The e-mail criticizes a provision in the farm bill that would reopen a 1998 discrimination settlement between black farmers and the department. The measure, which has passed the House and is pending in the Senate, could result in thousands of new claims.

"Ample time and opportunity was given during the initial suit to file and this late filing would bury the agency and cost taxpayers billions of dollars if the 73,000 late filers are accepted," reads the e-mail to Farm Service Agency employees.

Kim DePasquale, the FSA employee in Fredericksburg who distributed the e-mail, did not return a phone message seeking comment.

-- From News Services