Jun 5, 2013 1 min read

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A bill that would boost state spending on Pennsylvania’s transportation systems by almost 50 percent received resounding support from senators Wednesday, but is headed toward an uncertain fate in the House of Representatives.

The 45-5 vote brought together rural conservatives and urban liberals in what proponents called a plan that would protect the safety of Pennsylvania motorists, ease congestion and provide a badly needed economic boost to the state.

In the House, Republican leaders are skeptical of the bill’s $2.5 billion price tag, and time is ticking down to July 1, when lawmakers traditionally leave Harrisburg for the summer. Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, backs a more modest $1.8 billion proposal that he unveiled in January.

The increase approved by the Senate is nearly 50 percent of the $5.3 billion the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation currently spends on highways, bridges and transit systems. Business groups, engineering firms, highway construction companies, mass transit agencies and labor unions support the legislation.

Both plans rely primarily on increasing the wholesale gas tax by 28.5 cents a gallon, which would give Pennsylvania among the nation’s highest fuel tax rates.