Government

About Government News...

Transport Topics government and regulatory coverage keeps managers of a highly-regulated industry aware of the policy decisions that can shape their businesses. Covering both the legislative and regulatory aspects of policy-making, at both the state and national levels, the news in this category includes looks at infrastructure, hours of service, emissions rules, funding measures, leadership appointments, and more. Readers can follow what’s happening in Congress, at the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, and in state and local governments.

Government

Paul Ryan Re-Elected Speaker of the House

Paul Ryan was formally re-elected House speaker Jan. 3 as he intensifies his efforts to move past his differences with Donald Trump after a divisive campaign.

Billy House | Bloomberg News
January 3, 2017

Daily Briefings from Transport Topics

Transport Topics has partnered with Spoken Layer to make one-minute daily briefings available on all your smart devices. Simply say “Alexa, play Transport Topics” or “Okay Google, talk to Transport Topics” to get the day’s biggest trucking headlines.

Government

Feds Allege Wisconsin Chain Wrongly Classifies Drivers as Contractors

Wisconsin-based home improvement chain Menards has been slapped with a federal complaint alleging the company misclassified its delivery drivers as independent contractors and therefore deprived them of workplace protections afforded to employees, a charge the company calls "ridiculous" and vows to fight.

Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz | Chicago Tribune
January 3, 2017
Government, Business, Fuel

Trucking Industry on Board With Michigan’s Diesel Tax Hike

Truckers filling their tanks with diesel in Michigan are paying 11.3 cents more per gallon in tax than they did last month as part of a 2015 law designed to eventually produce $400 million for the state’s roads and bridges.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
January 3, 2017
Government, Business, Technology

Capitol Agenda for the Week of Jan. 2: Tunneling Out of Infrastructure Mess

If federal lawmakers need a reminder of an infrastructure mission statement for the 115th Congress, they should visit the House Transportation and Infrastructure hearing room at Rayburn. Here's the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill. 

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 3, 2017
Government

Bills Could Speed Up Michigan Highways

About 600 miles of Michigan freeways will see speed limits increase to 75 mph, and 900 miles of state highway will increase to 65 mph if Gov. Rick Snyder signs the collection of legislation that awaits his review.

Mark Johnson | The Record-Eagle (Traverse City, Mich.)
January 3, 2017
Government, Business, Safety, Logistics, Fuel

Martin Klepper Named First Chief of Build America Bureau

With less than three weeks left in the Obama administration, Martin Klepper was named the first executive director of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau on Dec. 30.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
January 3, 2017
Letters to the Editor, Business, Fuel, Government, Logistics, Technology, Autonomous

Letters: Skepticism Over Hydrogen Claims, Shipper Tactics

The Nikola One isn’t actually a zero-emissions vehicle when you see the entire process.

January 2, 2017
Government, Business, Safety, Fuel, Autonomous, Equipment, Logistics

EPA Plans to Propose Regulation to Tighten NOx Limit in 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency is beginning work on a proposed rule that would set new standards to further reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from heavy-duty truck engines beginning in 2024, the same year a provision kicks in for the agency’s heavy-duty Phase 2 greenhouse-gas program.

Eric Miller and David Elfin | Staff Reporters
January 2, 2017
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous, Logistics

2017 Year in Preview: ‘Expect the Unexpected’ for Trucking, Nation

Uncertainty dominates the outlook for trucking and freight transportation in 2017.

Daniel P. Bearth | Staff Writer
January 2, 2017
Government

New Congress Expected to Take On Infrastructure Funding, Tax Reform

A push to reform corporate tax laws by the Republican leadership of the House and Senate could help carve a path for the Trump administration to advance an infrastructure funding proposal in the coming months, Rep. Kevin Brady, the top tax writer in the House, told reporters before the start of the new Congress.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 2, 2017