A.M. Executive Briefing - Mar. 31
This Morning's Headlines:
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Canadian Trucking Alliance Urges Martin to Convene Finance Ministers to Discuss Fuel Tax Reductions
After Canadian Finance Minister Paul Martin said in the House of Commons Wednesday that the federal fuel taxes might be cut if the provincial taxes are also cut, the Canadian Trucking Alliance welcomed the statement but said it did not apparently reflect official policy.The group said Martin should convene a meeting soon with provincial finance ministers to show that the country's government is earnest in the matter, and CTA chief David Bradley wrote to Martin asking him to state that lower taxes on diesel, not only gasoline, will be considered. Canada NewsWire (03/30/00)
Arkansas Taxes to Go Up if Federal Gas Tax Reduced
A 1975 Arkansas state law would force the state to increase its fuel tax if the federal government's fuel tax is cut, according to one of the state's U.S. senators. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D), whose analysis of the law was backed up by Arkansas highway officials, also said she would vote against the proposal to cut the federal tax by 4.3 cents, calling it "just a gimmick." Associated Press (03/30/00) ; Lieb, David A.Nissan Diesel Motor to Put Up 27 B. Yen for 10 Selling Firms
Nissan Diesel Motor will purchase newly issued shares in 10 Japanese companies that sell vehicles made by Nissan Diesel, according to unnamed sources; the planned 27 billion yen investment is meant to make up for the dealers' losses and evade liabilities for the fiscal year.In addition, sources said the company will issue convertible bonds totaling 5 billion yen, to be purchased by Nissan Motor, while four creditor banks will make a deal for an almost 200 billion yen commitment line. Jiji Press Ticker Service (03/30/00)
Transportation Awards
The California Transportation Foundation gave its Environmental Enhancement Award to the grocery chain Raley's and Bel Air, which bought emissions-reducing natural gas-fueled trucks. Other awards went to the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, honored as Organization of the Year, as well as the Lake Natoma Crossing and a Sacramento International Airport terminal. Sacramento Bee (03/30/00) P. B2; Lindelof, BillTrucking Company Manager Sentenced for Violating Federal Order
Former Aulenback Inc. manager Scott Archibald was given two years of probation and a $2,500 fine Thursday for his December guilty plea to federal charges related to telling a truck driver to make false logbook statements.Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Clark called the sentence appropriate in light of Archibald's confession, while Parents Against Tired Truckers co-founder Daphne Izer said the sentence might not have been stiff enough to persuade others not to commit similar crimes.
In 1996, the Mexico, Maine-based trucking company broke a Federal Highway Administration out-of-service order imposed due to safety violations; in December, the company and dispatcher Susan Plott entered guilty pleas on related charges.
A grand jury indicted company President Alan Archibald on several charges as well, and he is to be tried beginning in May, facing up to 11 years' imprisonment if found guilty. Associated Press (03/30/00); Kim, Ann S.
Ontario Trucking Association Disappointed by U.S. Panel Decision on Peace Bridge Expansion
Saying it could strangle U.S.-Canada trade in the area, Ontario Trucking Association President David Bradley criticized the Peace Bridge Public Consensus Panel's Thursday decision against adding a second span for the bridge, which connects the Buffalo, N.Y., area to Fort Erie, Ontario.The politically-appointed U.S. panel is looking into possibilities for increased capacity on the span; among U.S.-Canada bridges, only the Ambassador Bridge handles more traffic.
A group of independent U.S. and Canadian engineers recommended the twin span option, also backed by Ontario Transport Minister David Turnbull, the Peace Bridge Authority, and area officials in Canada.
Bradley disagreed with the idea that tourists would be attracted by a "signature bridge," which he said was apparently the U.S. panel's belief, and said a twin span could have been added without government funding or higher tolls. Canadian Corporate Newswire (03/30/00)
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