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

Service Industries Grow at Fastest Pace Since August

Service industries expanded in May at the fastest pace in nine months as orders picked up, indicating improving sales will help the U.S. economy strengthen.

June 4, 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

Ferro Tells Senate Panel HOS Rules are Working

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro told a Senate panel that the agency knew its new hours-of-service rules would affect trucking’s productivity but that data is expected to show the HOS rules are increasing safety.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
June 3, 2014
Government, Business

Transportation Programs Need Long-Term Funding, Says DOT’s Mendez

ARLINGTON, Va. — Acting Deputy Transportation Secretary Victor Mendez on June 3 cautioned Congress against approving a short-term legislative fix to address looming shortfalls in highway funding this summer, urging it to approve a long-term “strategic” plan instead.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 3, 2014
Government

Shuster Pushes for Extension of MAP-21

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster said an extension of MAP-21 rather than a new long-term bill transportation bill is the best course of action this year, given the Highway Trust Fund crisis.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
June 3, 2014
Government, Business

Sen. Collins to Call for Changes to HOS Rule at Hearing Today

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is expected to offer an amendment today to a fiscal 2015 transportation funding bill that would address what her staff said are the unintended consequences of a federal truck safety rule that is opposed by much of the industry.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 3, 2014
Government, Business

Senate Subcommittee Approves $54.4 Billion Transportation, Housing Spending Bill

Senate appropriators on June 3 easily approved a $54.4 billion spending bill that would fund transportation and housing programs in fiscal 2015, and boost funding for a popular infrastructure grant program.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 3, 2014
Government

FMCSA Proposes to Accept Modifications to Carrier, Driver Violations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on June 3 announced proposed changes to its inspection data system that will accept modifications to motor carrier or driver citations and violations that a court has dismissed or issued a finding of not guilty.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
June 3, 2014
Government

Democrats Dismiss Proposal to End Saturday Mail Delivery

Democrats have dismissed a proposal by House Republicans to end Saturday mail delivery and make other changes at the U.S. Post Office in order to come up with money to shore up the Highway Trust Fund.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
June 2, 2014
Government, Business

AASHTO Presses Congress to Act on Highway Trust Fund Crisis

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials passed a resolution that calls on Congress to address the funding crisis facing the Highway Trust Fund this summer.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
June 2, 2014
Business, Government, Safety, Logistics, Autonomous

Elephants Take Truck Odyssey from Calgary to D.C. Zoo

A pair of North American zoos used two tractors pulling drop-deck trailers to carry a trio of female Asian elephants to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., from Calgary, Alberta, quickly and in comfort.

June 2, 2014