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.
Ontario Trucking Association Names Stephen Laskowski President
The Ontario Trucking Association’s Board of Directors named Stephen Laskowski president during its meeting April 14.
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.
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.
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, 2016Greg 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.