Some Governors Fail in Bid To Boost Infrastructure Outlays

WASHINGTON — Governors pushing for federal money to repair roads, water systems, and bridges didn't get the response they wanted from the White House on Monday. Even their own ranks are divided over infrastructure spending. Governors raised the issue during a meeting with President Bush. "It's the best type of stimulus, even better than what was in the first package," Governor Rendell, a Democrat of Pennsylvania, said as he left the White House.

Mr. Bush this month signed an economic stimulus package to send $300 to $1,200 rebate checks to millions of Americans and to offer tax incentives to businesses. He opposed including infrastructure projects because "it's not really a stimulative way to get the economy going," the White House press secretary, Dana Perino, said yesterday. Mr. Bush also said he opposes anything that could raise taxes. Ms. Perino said the president has concerns about "earmarks," the nickname for lawmakers' pet projects, in transportation funding.

Highway bills "are filled with earmarks, which takes away from governors being able to make decisions as to where they want to spend that money," she said.

Not all governors emerging from the White House meeting favor a second stimulus package or one focused on public works. Democrats generally seemed supportive, Republicans skeptical.