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.
Bill Would Let States Collect Online Sales Tax
A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to allow states to collect sales taxes on online purchases, potential revenue that at least two states have directed to roads.
ARTBA Says Raise Fuel Tax 15 Cents, Give Taxpayers Rebates
The nation’s road builders have proposed that Congress hike the federal diesel and gasoline tax 15 cents a gallon and offset the cost for low- and middle-income people with tax rebates.
Science Group Urges Strong Greenhouse Gas Rule
The Union of Concerned Scientists wants two federal agencies to set a rigorous standard for improvement in their rule on greenhouse gas emissions by heavy- and medium-duty trucks, which is due by the end of March.
Teamsters, Safety Groups Sue DOT Over Opening Border to Mexican Carriers
The Teamsters union and two highway safety advocate groups have filed suit against the U.S. Department of Transportation over DOT’s recent decision to open the border to Mexican trucks.
Sen. Hatch: Hopeful For a Trust Fund Fix by May 31
WASHINGTON—Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said tax policy writers in the Senate are “working behind the scenes” to unveil a plan that would ensure long-term funding for highway programs, before a law authorizing such funding expires May 31.
Secretary Anthony Foxx to Speak at Council on Foreign Relations March 16
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx will be promoting his policy priorities when he speaks at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C., on March 16.
Emergency Funds Go to Mississippi to Help Restore Roads After Severe Winter
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced that Mississippi will receive $500,000 in emergency relief funds to pay for road damage from severe winter rainfall that started in mid-February.
Daphne Jefferson Named FMCSA Deputy Administrator
Daphne Jefferson was named deputy administrator at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in February, succeeding Bill Bronrott, according to a letter from the agency’s acting administrator obtained by Transport Topics.
PrePass Enrollment Surpasses 500,000 Trucks
More than half a million trucks operated by nearly 41,000 fleets are now enrolled in the PrePass weigh-station bypass program, the provider of the service announced recently.
March 9, 2015TT Archives: Roads and Ports
A report by Commerce Secretary Luther Hodges 50 years ago put the cost of the completing the interstate highway system at $48.6 billion, an increase of $5.8 billion from earlier estimates, due to changes in highway design and traffic data.
March 9, 2015