The President was clear in his January State of the Union address: "If a bill comes to my desk with earmarks inside, I will veto it."

So it would seem that a replacement for SAFETEA-LU would not include earmarks.

Prior to the President's pronouncement, some Senators and Representatives suggested that transportation be exempt from an earmark ban. The reason is transportation projects' ability to sustain and create jobs, and stimulate the economy through the purchase of construction materials and goods.

The President has boxed himself in. It will be difficult in later months for him to announce an exemption for transportation, without appearing to break his word. But, if transportation stakeholders can make a persuasive argument, and bipartisan Congressional support emerges, there just might be some hope for project funding.