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.
Opinion: Shippers Face a Carriers’ Market
The exodus of drivers during the economic downturn is creating a driver shortage as the economy begins to recover. Add to this escalating costs for carriers complying with new federal regulations for tractors, trailers and communications and you have a recipe for reduced capacity and higher prices.
July 28, 2010Daily 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.
LaHood Rules Out Fuel Tax Increase
WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood rejected raising fuel taxes to pay for highway improvements and said that, despite pessimism about the prospects for a long-term highway bill, the administration was focused on completing a bill this year.
Feds Lack Tools to Track Bridge Spending In States
Twenty-five percent of the nation’s 603,000 bridges are structurally deficient in some way, but the federal government lacks the analytic and procedural tools to determine what impact federal bridge money would have in addressing the problem, a Government Accountability Office report said.
P.A.M. Reports Second-Quarter Profit
P.A.M. Transportation Services reported a profit of $1.3 million in the second quarter, compared with a $2.4 million loss a year ago.
July 27, 2010Rendell Pleads for Special Session to Address Transportation
In a plea to the Pennsylvania State Legislature to hold a special session on transportation funding, Gov. Edward Rendell (D) recently told members of the Senate Transportation Committee that, collectively in their 13 districts, they have 1,970 structurally deficient bridges.
Six More States Act To Prohibit Indemnification Contracts
Florida and Louisiana are among six states this year to pass anti-indemnification laws that prohibit contractors from shifting insurance liabilities onto truckers.
New Georgia Law Protects Truckers on Liability
As of this month, under a new Georgia law carriers in that state can no longer be forced to accept unwarranted insurance liability in order to get a special permit.
Kansas City Southern’s 2Q Profit Improves
Kansas City Southern said it earned $34.6 million, or 34 cents a share, in its second quarter, compared with $6.5 million, or 7 cents, the previous year.
July 27, 2010Consumer Confidence Falls in July to 5-Month Low
Consumer confidence declined this month to its lowest level in five months, the New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday.
July 27, 2010FMCSA Sends HOS Proposal to White House
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sent its proposal for a new hours-of-service rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review Monday, meeting the first of its court-appointed deadlines for issuing the rule.