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, Business

Lawmakers to Look at Legislation to Fix Hours-of-Service Rule ‘Glitch’

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill will look at legislation that would provide a short-term authorization of the Federal Aviation Administration to attach technical language pertaining to an hours-of-service rule for truckers in a fiscal 2016 funding law.

Eugene Mulero and Eric Miller | Senior Reporters
February 17, 2016
Government

Maryland Democrats Have Plan to Restrict Governor on Transportation Decisions

The Democratic leaders of Maryland's General Assembly want to restrict the governor's power to decide what transportation projects to fund.

Michael Dresser | The Baltimore Sun
February 17, 2016
Government, Business

Rhode Island Truck-Toll Plan Still Needs FHWA Approval

Even though Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo signed RhodeWorks into law on Feb. 11, her trucks-only tolling plan still needs to be approved by the Federal Highway Administration before it can roll smoothly toward a projected opening of the 14 tolling gantries in 18 to 24 months.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
February 16, 2016
Government, Business

Fix Roads, Bridges to Help Retain Drivers, ATA Economist Says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Government officials should do more to reduce traffic congestion along the country’s roadways as a way to help retain drivers across the industry, American Trucking Associations Chief Economist Bob Costello said.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
February 16, 2016
Government

Gov. Andrew Cuomo Proposes Slashing N.Y. Truck Registration, Decal Fees

In the wake of the Jan. 22 ruling by New York’s Supreme Court that the state's highway user registration and decal fees for trucks were unconstitutional, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Feb. 12 offered an amendment to his proposed budget that drops those fees from a combined $19 to $1.50.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
February 16, 2016
Government, Business

ATA Working to Avoid Inadvertent Elimination of HOS Restart Rule

An omission in the fiscal 2016 omnibus funding bill would require federal regulators to eliminate an hours-of-service restart rule that took effect in 2013 if a federal study of the rule fails to show it has safety benefits, according to a spokesman for American Trucking Associations.

Eric Miller and Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporters
February 16, 2016
Government, Business

Mike Joyce Named ATA’s Top Legislative Advocate

Mike Joyce, announced on Feb. 16 as American Trucking Associations’ senior vice president of legislative affairs, brings a range of experience to his new position. Joyce has spent all but two of the 22-plus years since his graduation from Gettysburg College working for members of Congress or as a lobbyist for trucking concerns.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
February 16, 2016
Perspective, Business, Safety, Government

Opinion: Recruiting Should Be a Top Priority

Communication and team building are two ideas or points of emphasis that all successful transportation firms need to understand and utilize.

February 15, 2016
Editorial, Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

Editorial: Section 611 Makes Good Sense

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is debating aviation policy in the form of the Aviation Innovation, Reform and Reauthorization Act, or AIRR Act, and a sliver of the 273-page bill concerns trucking.

February 15, 2016
Government, Business

Obama Budget Would Boost Transport

New infrastructure projects would be funded through a significant new tax on oil companies, according to President Obama’s fiscal 2017 budget request.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
February 15, 2016