SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - How much is one vote worth in the California state Senate?
A half-billion dollars, if linked to a gas-tax hike.
The key vote to raise Californians' gas taxes and vehicle fees Thursday came from a little known Republican lawmaker.
Sen. Anthony Cannella won a $400 million railroad extension into his Central Valley district in California's agricultural heartland and $100 million for the University of California, Merced.
He was among several lawmakers who secured nearly $1 billion in transportation projects.
They say the promises won their votes to raise $54 billion for roads, bridges and mass transit over 10 years.
The deal raises gas taxes by 12 cents a gallon while increasing diesel taxes and vehicle fees.
Cannella was the only Republican to support a plan criticized by his GOP colleagues.