Government
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.
Bipartisan Policy Center to Unveil Infrastructure Recommendations May 16
The Bipartisan Policy Center plans to unveil on May 16 a paper detailing ways policymakers may improve the country’s infrastructure, as part of Infrastructure Week.
April 22, 2016Mack Unveils 2017 Powertrain
AUSTIN, Texas — Mack Trucks celebrated Earth Day here by rolling out its 2017 powertrain designed to meet the second part of Phase 1 federal greenhouse-gas limits that start in January, including new technologies for its MP7 and MP8 engines.
Senate Panel Advances Bill That Caps Drivers' Workweek at 73 Hours
WASHINGTON — A fiscal 2017 transportation funding bill that would set the allowable time truckers may work per week before taking a break at 73 hours was advanced by a Senate panel April 21.
Senate Panel Approves DOT Issuing Speed Limiters Proposal in Fiscal 2017 Transportation Bill
WASHINGTON — Legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to advance a proposal on speed limiters for trucks was approved by a Senate panel April 21.
House Transportation Panel OKs Pipeline Safety Bill
Legislation aimed at improving pipeline safety by reforming federal rules was approved unanimously April 20 by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Virginia Port Union Official Resigns After Audit Finds Unauthorized Fund
The business agent for one of six dockworker union offices in the Port of Virginia has resigned and will be removed from other union posts he holds after an internal audit found an “unauthorized and previously undisclosed account,” the port’s top labor official confirmed April 19.
Sen. Susan Collins Says HOS to Be Tweaked in Fiscal 2017 Transportation Funding Bill, According to Reports
Hours-of-service regulation would be tweaked under a fiscal 2017 transportation funding bill a Senate subcommittee advanced April 19, according to Sen. Susan Collins as quoted in Politico.
Senate Transportation Funding Bill Pushes DOT on Speed Limiters Rule
WASHINGTON — A fiscal 2017 Senate transportation funding bill would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to quickly issue a long-awaited proposed rule on speed limiters for motor carriers.
Federal Regulators Seeking Comment on Proposed 'Beyond Compliance' Program
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking comment on a proposed program to recognize and reward motor carriers who exceed regulatory safety requirements.
Early Warning Signs of Recession Flash Faintly in US Jobs Data
As the economy again started off the year on a sour note, the glass-half-full crowd pointed to the strength of the U.S. jobs market as a reason not to worry. As long as payrolls are racking up monthly gains of 200,000 or more, the economy remains in fine fettle, or so the optimists would have it.