Leaders of the Senate Finance Committee, in an effort to gain more Republican support, tweaked a highway spending bill on June 26 by removing a provision that would have imposed higher fees on heavy trucks.

The announcement of the roster of the National Freight Advisory Committee provides a reason to be guardedly optimistic the nation is prepared to make tough decisions regarding our transportation needs.

Trucking executives are among the dozens of transportation experts who have been selected to help shape a national vision for freight movement.

Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.) was named the new chairman of the House Transportation Committee’s subcommittee on highways and transit.

The electoral wave that handed control of the House of Representatives to the Republicans also roiled the body’s transportation committee, ousting the panel’s current chairman and putting Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) in position to lead the key committee.