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, Safety, Business

FMCSA Panels Advance Sleep Apnea Recommendations

Two Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration advisory committees forwarded on Oct. 24 a slate of comprehensive moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea risk factor recommendations that the agency could use in a formal regulatory requirement for truck and bus drivers to submit to costly diagnostic sleep studies.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
October 24, 2016
Government, Fuel, Business

New Jersey Senators Hope to Repeal Fuel-Tax Hikes

Just six days after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed the compromise gas-tax legislation into law, two of his fellow Republicans introduced a bill on Oct. 20 to repeal it.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
October 24, 2016
Government

House Chairman Defends Federal Transportation Agency During Debate

LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. — The top transportation policymaker in the U.S. House rejected the notion of devolving transportation authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation to state agencies during a debate with a tea party-backed opponent at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus on Oct. 21.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
October 24, 2016
Government, Business

Minnesota, Wisconsin Celebrate New I-90 Bridge

Officials from the Minnesota and Wisconsin departments of transportation along with elected officials celebrated the dedication of the new Dresbach Bridge over the Mississippi River on Oct. 21.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
October 24, 2016
Perspective, Government, Business, Safety

Opinion: The Real Cost of Regulations for Small Carriers

Economists often speak of a “regulatory drag” on our economy related to the costs associated with the many regulations passed over the years.

October 24, 2016
Government

Congress’ 2017 Transport Agenda Murky With Committee Leaders in Tight Races

In this election cycle, senior transportation policymakers, including House Transportation Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), chairman of the Railroads subcommittee and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a senior member of the Commerce Committee, are scrambling to hold on to their seats.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
October 24, 2016
Government, Safety, Business

Appeals Court Rejects Obese Driver’s Claim That He Needn’t Submit to Sleep Apnea Test

An appeals court has rejected claims by an obese truck driver that he should not have been required by his employer to submit to a sleep study to determine if he had obstructive sleep apnea.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
October 24, 2016
Government

Bridge Construction Method Saves States, Drivers Time

Rhode Island had a pair of bridges in East Providence that were in such poor condition that Vice President Joe Biden termed one of them “shameful” during a visit this spring.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
October 24, 2016
Government

FTC Charges Two With Fraud in Selling Registration Services

The Federal Trade Commission has charged two individuals with using a fake government affiliation to sell commercial trucking registration services.

October 21, 2016
Government

FMCSA Issues Safety Advisory on Samsung Galaxy Note7 Smartphones

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a safety advisory on Oct. 21 to provide “notice and information” for commercial motor vehicle owners, operators and passengers on the risks and regulations associated with the transportation of the recently recalled Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone and also for other damaged, defective or recalled lithium cells or batteries used for portable electronic devices

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
October 21, 2016