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.

Government, Safety

Senate Panel to Examine Truck Safety March 14

Truck safety concerns will be the focus of a Senate subcommittee hearing March 14.

March 8, 2017
Government, Business

TIGER Infrastructure Grants on the Chopping Block, Says Sen. Collins

WASHINGTON — President Trump’s fiscal 2018 budget request is likely to deny funding for U.S. Department of Transportation grants awarded to various state agencies since 2009 for infrastructure projects, the Senate’s top transportation funding leader said March 8.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
March 8, 2017
Government

Transportation Groups Ask EPA to Preserve Diesel Emissions Funding

Several transportation trade groups have asked Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to continue Diesel Emissions Reduction Act funding in EPA’s fiscal-year 2018 budget.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
March 8, 2017
Government, Business

Nafta Talks Likely Won't Begin Until Later This Year, Commerce Secretary Says

The U.S. government probably won’t begin “real” negotiations to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement until later this year, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said.

Andrew Mayeda | Bloomberg News
March 8, 2017
Government, Business, Technology

Capitol Agenda for the Week of March 7: Fuel Tax Pitch

The business community will tell Senate funding leaders on March 8 to raise taxes on fuel as a way to fund big-ticket infrastructure projects. Sarah Kline of the Bipartisan Policy Center explains how P3s can work even in rural communities. Here's the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
March 8, 2017
Government, Business

Arizona Governor Presses Trump Administration for Freight Expansion Dollars

Increasing vehicle capacity to alleviate congestion and improve safety along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and the ports in the Los Angeles area is among the infrastructure projects for which Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) would welcome funding assistance from the federal government.

March 7, 2017
Government, Business

Results of FMCSA Restart Study Did Not Benefit Driver Safety, Fatigue, DOT Says

A congressionally mandated study on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours-of-service restart rule showed that it “did not explicitly identify a net benefit on driver operations, safety, fatigue and health,” the Department of Transportation Inspector General said March 2.

March 6, 2017
Government

US Will Reclaim Global Supply Chain, Trump Trade Aide Says

The United States is seeking more “reciprocal” trade with other countries in a bid to boost growth, reduce the trade deficit and keep American production capacity out of foreign hands, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said.

Andrew Mayeda | Bloomberg News
March 6, 2017
Government, Business

Mayors to Congress: Help Fund Major Infrastructure Projects

Big-ticket infrastructure projects around the country need a boost from the federal government, more than 30 mayors meeting in Washington, D.C., last week told congressional leaders and Trump administration officials.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
March 6, 2017
Government, Business

Koch Group Warns Trump Infrastructure Plan Could Be ‘Spending Boondoggle’

An influential conservative group backed by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch is questioning a plan to spend $1 trillion on the nation’s infrastructure and warning that one of President Trump’s signature policy initiatives could become a “spending boondoggle.”

March 6, 2017