Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Lawmakers OK Key Parts of Highway Bill

House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on the major provisions of a six-year, $151-billion transportation bill that would dramatically rewrite federal aid programs for highways and mass transit for the first time in 35 years. However, details of the complex package were withheld, at least until today, as congressional staff members sought to determine exactly how much money each of the 50 states can expect under the new aid programs. Some senators and House members representing so-called donor states--those states whose citizens traditionally pay more in federal gasoline taxes than the state recoups in transportation aid--have threatened to oppose the package if they are not satisfied with their state’s share of the funds. Although California is one of the largest donor states, its officials so far have not suggested that they will oppose the bill.