Senate President: Md. Transportation Bill Expected

Maryland's Senate president says he's confident Gov. Martin O'Malley will submit a transportation funding measure early next week.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller on Friday stopped short of discussing any details about what such a measure would include. But he says he's confident an administration bill will be ``read across the desk on Monday night,'' when lawmakers gather for session.

Miller, D-Calvert, met with O'Malley and House Speaker Michael Busch, D-Anne Arundel, on Thursday to talk about transportation funding.

Maryland faces a growing backlog on transportation projects and terrible traffic congestion.

The state has not raised its 23.5-cents-per-gallon gas tax since 1992. Last year, O'Malley proposed phasing in a 6 percent sales tax on gasoline, but the measure stalled.