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.
An HOS Rule That Works
The proposal for revamping the federal government’s hours-of-service rule for truck drivers that a coalition of interest groups released recently illustrates just how little these political theorists understand about highway safety and the business of moving America’s freight.
July 5, 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.
Passage of Energy Bill Seen Doubtful in Senate
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators left a closed-door White House meeting with President Obama last week divided over whether energy and climate legislation could pass and uncertain what form it might take.
July 5, 2010Appeals Court Blocks Truckers’ Bid to Recover More Than $10,000 After Brokerage Failure
A U.S. Appeals Court has rejected an effort by a group of truckers to collect more than $10,000 from an insurance company that posted a surety bond for a broker that went bankrupt.
July 5, 2010DOT Awards Five States $6.25 Million to Help Ease Shortage of Safe Truck Parking
The U.S. Department of Transportation in June awarded grants totaling $6.25 million to five states to “ease truck parking shortages on U.S. interstates.”
July 5, 2010Five States Get $6 Million in Truck Parking Grants
Five states received federal grants totaling $6 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation and Secretary Ray LaHood in June with the purpose of easing truck parking shortages on U.S. interstates.
Pa Lawmakers Move to Ban Indemnification Contracts
The Pennsylvania House has unanimously passed a bill that would ban indemnification contracts that some shippers and receivers force trucking firms to sign.
Massachusetts, Iowa Enact Distracted Driving Laws
Massachusetts and Iowa enacted laws to combat distracted driving late last week, with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) signed legislation Friday outlawing texting while driving, making his the 29th state to outlaw the practice.
NAFTA Surface Trade Jumps in April
Surface transportation trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico rose 32.4% in April, the third straight jump of at least 24%, the Department of Transportation said.
June 29, 2010More Road Projects Planned During Busy Summer Season
President Obama marked the 10,000th road project funded by last year’s stimulus law in Columbus, Ohio, earlier this month, marking the beginning of what is being dubbed “Recovery Summer,” a six-week surge of infrastructure projects funded by the stimulus.
June 29, 2010Consumer Confidence Falls in June
Consumer confidence declined this month following the highest level in more than two years in May, the New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday.
June 29, 2010