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

USDA to Raise Inspection Fees 187% on Imports From Canada, Mexico

The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week issued a final rule designed to recoup costs associated with animal and plant inspections by raising fees for all truck-borne imports by 187%.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
November 1, 2015
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

Truckload Carriers Report Higher 3Q Profits; Cautious About Future Industry Conditions

Third-quarter earnings rose at several truckload carriers amid growing caution about future industry conditions.

Rip Watson | Special to Transport Topics
November 1, 2015
Business, Safety, Equipment, Government, Autonomous

Used Truck Prices Slump at Auctions, Analysts Say

A major auction of fleet-owned, model year 2012-2013 sleeper trucks in mid-September pulled in lower-than-expected prices and may have signaled the start of a market erosion, according to Chris Visser, an analyst with American Truck Dealers.    

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
November 1, 2015
Business, Government, Safety, Equipment, Autonomous

Cummins to Cut Workforce as Truck Engine Sales Fall

Engine maker Cummins Inc. said last week it would reduce its workforce by 2,000 employees, or about 4% of its global payroll, and close or restructure some manufacturing facilities as a result of lower demand for its products, including truck engines.

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
November 1, 2015
Business, Safety, Government

Texans Slated to Vote on Proposition 7, Which Provides $2.5 Billion for Roads

A year after overwhelmingly voting for Proposition 1, which devotes about $1.2 billion to the state’s highway fund, Texans will consider another transportation initiative, Proposition 7, when they go the polls on Nov. 3.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
November 1, 2015
Business, Government

House Preps Highway Bill After 35th Funding Patch

A multiyear highway bill that would jump-start the process for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to reform its program that scores motor carriers on safety performance is likely to reach the House floor as early as this week.

Eugene Mulero and Eric Miller | Senior Reporters
November 1, 2015
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

Foxx 'Cautiously Optimistic' About Passage of Long-Term Highway Bill

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx is “cautiously optimistic” that Congress will pass long-term transportation legislation in the near future.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
October 29, 2015
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

ATA Chairman Hopeful Speaker Paul Ryan ‘Will Lead’ Passage of Highway Bill

American Trucking Associations Chairman Pat Thomas has a message for new Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
October 29, 2015
Government, Business

Nafta Truck Freight Value Declines for Second Month

The value of U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico carried by truck declined for the second consecutive month, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported Oct. 29.

October 29, 2015
Government, Business, Safety

Rural Areas Receive Record Percentage of DOT TIGER Grants

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced Oct. 29 that the department will issue $500 million in infrastructure grants covering 39 projects in 34 states.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
October 29, 2015