(AP) — Lawmakers in the House refused a 1-cent sales-tax hike Thursday that would help pay for a $12 billion backlog of needed improvements to Louisiana's crumbling roads and bridges. Shortly after the proposal was shot down, the measure's sponsor decided not to take up a separate road construction proposal that would raise the state gasoline tax by 10 cents. Bill supporters say neighboring Texas has moved forward on many large-scale construction plans, pouring billions into road improvements. The proposal would earmark much of the sales tax money to a list of specific highway and bridge projects considered major economic development drivers in regions around the state.