Former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta recalls how his boss, President George W. Bush, bristled at the idea of raising gasoline taxes in the 2005 highway bill.

``He took his Sharpie out and said, `Norm, get those tax increases out. I don't want a tax increase,''' says Mineta.

While Bush is still opposing higher fuel taxes, the Aug. 1 Minneapolis bridge collapse has altered the political landscape. The calamity, in which at least 12 people died, has become a rallying cry for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and trade groups representing the likes of Caterpillar Inc. and Terex Corp. that want to boost spending to repair the nation's roads and bridges.