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

Missouri Senate Approves Fuel-Tax Hike, Sends Bill to House

Missouri’s Senate approved a fuel-tax increase of 5.9 cents per gallon April 6. The 21-10 vote sends the bill, sponsored by Transportation Committee Chairman Doug Libla, to the House, where its chances of passage are much less assured.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
April 7, 2016
Government, Fuel

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Signs GHG Bill

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed a bill April 5 that aims to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 40% by 2030 compared with the state’s GHG output in 2006.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
April 6, 2016
Government, Business

DOT, Caltrans Aim to Bring Back Critical Trucking Survey

For transportation planners, the Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey was the go-to source for trucking data every five years from 1967 to 2002 as a requirement of the Bureau of the Census. VIUS’ cancellation before the expected 2007 compilation was a major blow.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
April 6, 2016
Government, Business

Arkansas Joins Virtual Weigh Station Revolution

Arkansas is becoming the latest state to join the virtual weigh station revolution. The state’s Highway and Transportation Department announced April 5 that it has a contract with a local firm to install a weigh-in-motion scale under Route 64 near Alma.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
April 5, 2016
Government

New Chief Counsel Appointed at PHMSA

Teresa Gonsalves was appointed chief counsel at the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced April 4.

April 5, 2016
Business, Government, Safety, Logistics

Companies Reimagine Delivery Vehicles

Several companies are testing a wide range of innovative delivery ideas to gain an edge in growing logistics and transportation space.

Steve Brawner | Contributing Writer
April 5, 2016
Government

US Services Grow at Faster Pace for First Time in Five Months

Growth in America’s service industries accelerated in March for the first time in five months, indicating the economy was improving after a sluggish start to the year.

Shobhana Chandra | Bloomberg News
April 5, 2016
Government

FDA Previews Final Food Safety Transportation Rule

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on April 5 previewed its final rule that creates new requirements for the sanitary transportation of human and animal food by truck and rail to ensure that transportation practices do not create safety risks.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
April 5, 2016
Government, Business

Planning Group Puts $43 Billion Price Tag on Illinois Transportation Fix

Cash-strapped Illinois needs $43 billion over 10 years to repair and improve its transportation network and boost the state economy, according to a report released on Monday by the Metropolitan Planning Council.

Karen Pierog | Reuters
April 5, 2016
Government, Business, Technology

Capitol Agenda for the Week of April 5: A Different Darling

Who are you and what have you done with Scott Darling? The nominee to head FMCSA that we bumped into at the Mid-America Trucking Show last week was far different from the reserved acting administrator we encountered a year ago at the same event. Except for the hat. Here's the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
April 5, 2016