Transportation Bill Looks To Get Off The Ground In Harrisburg

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG (CBS) -- The week ahead will be critical for a bill that generates new funds for roads, bridges and mass transit to win approval during the current legislative session.

During an interview with reporters, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, an Allegheny County Republican, was reluctant to say this coming week was do or die for transportation.

When asked if a deal doesn't get done will it be off the table for the rest of the session, Turzai says, "I have no more comments on the issue and I appreciate everybody's time."

But Dave Thomas, chief counsel to the speaker and a key negotiator for the House GOP, said on Friday that he was optimistic a transportation deal was coming together.

"I'm more optimistic that if it doesn't come together next week that it's time to put, you know, transportation funding to bed," Thomas says there other issues that need lawmakers' attention.

The majority leader, meanwhile, reiterated that he wants an up or down vote on transportation even without a compromise deal.