State seeks to boost transportation funds

Gov. Martin O'Malley won't raise taxes just to eliminate the state's deficit - the governor also wants to hike them to improve roads and bridges.

Despite Maryland's financial problems, reinvigorating the state's transportation infrastructure has become a new priority for the governor.

But working on what Mr. O'Malley has called a "major transportation funding bill" while battling a $1.5 billion deficit runs counter to what many former governors have done during tough fiscal times.

Historically, transportation funding has had a target on its back when the State House hunts for money to balance a budget.

During the...