Democrat Displeased With Way Roads Plan Was Sold in Stimulus

WASHINGTON -- A top congressional Democrat says the White House may have oversold the roads-and-bridges component of the historic stimulus law.

An Associated Press analysis of the first $19 billion in transportation spending showed that communities most in need of jobs are least likely to benefit from the program.

A spokesman for Minnesota Rep. James Oberstar, who leads the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, says the White House shouldn't have billed road money as the signature component of the stimulus, or as a surefire boost to needy communities.

Spokesman Jim Berard says Washington is limited in how it can tell states where to spend the money. Needy communities might lose out in the short term but he says they'll benefit from other aspects of the stimulus bill.