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, Government, Autonomous

Ontario Trucking Association Names Stephen Laskowski President

The Ontario Trucking Association’s Board of Directors named Stephen Laskowski president during its meeting April 14.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
April 14, 2016
Government, Business

Transportation Officials in Five States Testing Electronic In-Cab Credentials

Transportation officials in Wisconsin and four other states are pilot-testing a system that permits drivers to use their cellphones, tablets and laptops to electronically present their in-cab motor carrier credentials to roadside inspectors and state patrol officers.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
April 14, 2016
Government

Rep. Bill Shuster Muses About Truck-Only Lanes to Increase Highway Safety

WASHINGTON — During a rare hearing focused exclusively on the commercial motor carrier industry, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee suggested his colleagues support establishing truck-only lanes to help boost freight capacity.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
April 13, 2016
Government, Business

US Transportation Activity Rises Moderately, Fed Says

Transportation activity in the United States rose moderately in late February and March, with several areas of the country reporting increases in freight volumes, the Federal Reserve reported.

April 13, 2016
Government

Greg Thomas Named Secretary of Kentucky's Transportation Cabinet

Greg Thomas, who had been the acting Secretary of Kentucky’s Transportation Cabinet since March 3, was given the permanent position by Gov. Matt Bevin on April 12. Thomas had been named Deputy Secretary in February. He now replaces Mike Hancock, who resigned three months after Bevin took office in December.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
April 13, 2016
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

Commenters Raise Concerns Over Proposed Behind-the-Wheel Hours Requirement

Many in the trucking industry say the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed entry-level driver training rule requirement that students log at least 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training time could exacerbate the nation’s driver shortage.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
April 13, 2016
Business, Fuel, Government

Energy Department Trims US Oil Production Forecast

U.S. crude oil production is expected to fall more this year and in 2017 than had been expected, and that should lead to a slow rise in crude oil and retail diesel and gasoline prices, the Department of Energy said in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook released April 12.

Jonathan S. Reiskin | Associate News Editor
April 13, 2016
Government

N.Y. Gov. Cuomo Signs Budget That Slashes Truck Fees

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a budget resolution agreed to by the state Senate and Assembly on April 12 that includes a fix for registration and decal fees for heavy-duty trucks.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
April 12, 2016
Government

IMF Warns of Global Stagnation as Growth Outlook Cut Again

A prolonged period of slow growth has left the global economy more exposed to negative shocks and raised the risk that the world will slide into stagnation, the IMF warned.

Andrew Mayeda | Bloomberg News
April 12, 2016
Government, Business, Technology

Capitol Agenda for the Week of April 12: Motor Carrier Execs of the Roundtable

An April 13 roundtable of motor carrier industry stakeholders before a House subcommittee is intended to help policy leaders figure out the most appropriate approach for the implementation of trucking provisions in the 2015 FAST Act highway law. Here's the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
April 12, 2016