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.

Business, Safety, Government

Durable Goods Orders Fall 2.5%

Durable goods orders declined 2.5% in June, but orders excluding transportation equipment increased 1.1%, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

July 29, 2009

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.

Business, Government

Trust Fund Shortfall May Affect Road, Bridge Repairs, Mendez Says

The daily payments states receive from the Highway Trust Fund for repairs could be made only weekly or twice a month if the fund isn’t replenished, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez told state highway officials.

July 28, 2009
Government, Business

Consumer Confidence Retreats in July

Consumer confidence fell in July, the New York-based Conference Board said.

July 28, 2009
Business, Safety, Government

Covenant Reports Loss for 2Q

Covenant Transportation Group said it lost $3.1 million, or 22 cents per share, in the second quarter, compared with a loss of $2.3 million, or 17 cents, a year ago.

July 28, 2009
Fuel, Business, Government

Diesel Gains 3.2¢ After Four Weeks of Decline

The average price of diesel fuel rose 3.2 cents to $2.528 a gallon after a four-week drop, the Department of Energy said Monday.

July 27, 2009
Business, Government

New Home Sales Climb 11%

New home sales increased 11% in June, the largest increase in eight years, the Commerce Department said Monday.

July 27, 2009
Government, Business, Safety

New Orleans Port Operators Cut Hours

Both of the terminal operators at the Port of New Orleans have reduced their business hours in response to the economic recession and reduced shipping, the Times-Picayune reported.

July 27, 2009
Editorial, Business, Fuel, Government

Fuel Price Honeymoon

Our latest little honeymoon with fuel prices likely will end soon, as recent increases in the cost of crude oil work their way down to the retail pump.

July 27, 2009
Letters to the Editor, Business, Government, Safety, Equipment

Letters: Nitrogen in Tires, Brokers Revisited, Impossibly Low Rates, California Reefers, It’s All About Freight, Squeaky Wheels

In reference to the story, “Safeway Fleet Set to Fill Tires With Nitrogen,” which appeared July 6 on p. 8, I have been using nitrogen in my fleet since 2005. We have noticed that the tires stay at a constant pressure, and we have been able to get well over 250,000 miles out of our drive tires and 150,000 miles out of our steer tires.

July 27, 2009
Business, Safety, Government

Virginia Closes 18 Rest Stops

The Virginia Department of Transportation closed 18 rest stops last week, despite an effort by U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) to amend federal law to allow the state to commercialize the rest areas.

July 27, 2009