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.
New Senate Bill Would Create Infrastructure Bank
A bipartisan group of Senators has introduced a bill that would create a national infrastructure bank to issue loans and loan guarantees for transportation and other infrastructure projects of regional and national significance.
Washington State Supreme Court Ruling Locks in Lower Tax Rate for OmniTracs
Purchasers of Qualcomm Inc.’s OmniTracs system in Washington state dodged a tax hit following a March 10 decision about the legal classification of that system by the Washington Supreme Court.
March 21, 2011Letters: EOBR Bombshell, Megaloads, Detention Times
Just so I can get this straight, now: We are allowing Mexican trucks to come into the United States as cross-border operations — almost a done deal. Then, FMCSA is going to pay for EOBRs to be placed in those Mexican trucks to do business in the United States, while requiring U.S. fleets to purchase EOBRs with company money?
March 21, 2011House Panel’s EPA Vote Doesn’t Block Truck Rule
The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation that would strip the Environmental Protection Agency of some of its authority but would not block a proposal to regulate heavy- and medium-duty truck greenhouse gas emissions.
March 21, 2011House Panel Rejects Obama Plan to Fund Transportation Projects
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted last week to not support the Obama administration’s transportation budget proposals because administration officials have not identified revenue sources to fund multibillion dollar increases for existing and new programs.
March 21, 2011Supply Chains May Not Be Disrupted by Japan Turmoil, U.S. Truck Makers Say
Several truck makers and industry suppliers said their facilities sustained some damage from the March 11 earthquake in Japan, but they were not expecting it to result in significant supply disruptions to North America.
March 18, 2011Leading Economic Indicators Improve 0.8%
An index of leading economic indicators rose 0.8% in February, the eighth straight monthly increase, the New York-based Conference Board said.
March 18, 2011NAFTA Surface Trade Rose 24.3% Last Year
Surface transportation trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico rose 24.3% last year from 2009, the Department of Transportation said Thursday.
March 17, 2011Consumer Price Index Grows 0.5%
The consumer price index increased 0.5% in Febuary, the Labor Department said Thursday.
March 17, 2011Comments to Hours-of-Service Rule Rewrite Top 20,000
The number of comments on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association’s proposed revised hours-of-service regulation has topped 20,000 — the most for any current rule being considered.
March 15, 2011