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

Obama Nominates Hart to Lead NTSB

President Obama on June 26 nominated Christopher Hart to be the next chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 26, 2014

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, Business

Senate Panel Drops Truck Tax, Postpones Vote On Trust Fund Bill

The leaders of the Senate Finance Committee said on June 26 they will plan to meet during the week of July 7 to consider a short-term patch for a cash-strapped highway account.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 26, 2014
Government, Business, Safety, Logistics, Autonomous

Canadian Trucking Alliance Opposes Border Inspection Fee Increase

The Canadian Trucking Alliance said it opposes a U.S. Department of Agriculture proposal that would substantially raise the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service fees imposed on trucks crossing the border.

June 26, 2014
Government, Business

Sen. Carper to Propose Gas Tax Increase at June 26 Trust Fund Hearing

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware) said he plans to propose an increase to the national gas tax as a way to generate money for transportation projects when the Senate Finance Committee meets to advance a short-term boost for a federal highway account.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 25, 2014
Government, Business

Supreme Court Declines to Hear OOIDA Cross-Border Trucking Case

For the second time in five months, the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association challenging the legality of a federal cross-border pilot program allowing some Mexican trucks to operate in the United States.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
June 25, 2014
Government, Business

Sen. Boxer Backs Democrats’ Trust Fund Patch, Urges Action On Highway Funding

The Senate’s top transportation leader expressed her support for a $9 billion plan to provide a short-term funding boost for a federal highway account, a day before a Senate committee’s consideration of the plan.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 25, 2014
Government, Business

Sen. Corker: Wyden's Trust Fund Plan a 'Complete Sham'

The Senate Republican co-sponsoring a proposal to raise the national tax on motor fuels called a bill that would provide a short-term boost for a cash-strapped federal highway account a “complete sham,” signaling the lack of GOP support for the legislation ahead of its June 26 committee consideration.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 25, 2014
Government

P3 Panel Chairman Encourages Private Assistance for Infrastructure Projects

The head of a special House panel on public-private partnerships indicated earlier this month his intent to push his congressional transportation colleagues to support programs that augment the role of banks and private firms to support certain infrastructure projects.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 25, 2014
Business, Government

Wisconsin Truckers Choose Kedzie to Succeed Howells

Neal Kedzie will become president of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association as of July 1, the trucking organization announced. He will succeed Tom Howells, who is retiring.

June 25, 2014
Government

Economy Shrank in First Quarter by Most in Five Years

The U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter by the most since the depths of the last recession as consumer spending cooled.

June 25, 2014