Transportation funding strategy still stalled in Pa.

State House lawmakers are struggling to settle on a funding plan for fixing Pennsylvania’s roads, bridges, and mass transit that can pass a committee vote.Among the major sticking points are the overall cost and money for mass transit.

Democrats are balking at proposed changes to bring a $2.5 billion measure down to a $1.8 billion plan.

But Rep. Mike Vereb, R-Montgomery County, points out it’s not just the Democratic caucus that wants more funding for mass transit.

“Mass transit can’t be a secondary thought in this bill,” he said. “Mass transit has to be one of the primary thoughts.”

Also at issue is whether the plan will repeal the prevailing wage law, which requires that certain road maintenance projects pay workers at levels that typically line up with union wages.

Some Republicans say they’ll insist on the repeal to make sure funds for transportation can be stretched further.

But Democrats have long said they won’t support any bill that repeals prevailing wage, and the GOP caucus appears to need those votes to send a transportation bill to the governor.