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.
Democrats Seek to Bar Customs Fees From Funding Short-Term Highway Extension
With the highway bill set to be marked up Oct. 22, Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee have asked their fellow members on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to prevent the use of Customs and Border Protection fees to cover the costs of another short-term funding extension.
Vice President Joe Biden Continues October Transportation Blitz
Vice President Joe Biden, who gave a major infrastructure speech in Washington on Oct. 8, continued his interest in transportation issues six days later by meeting with a group of stakeholders at the White House.
Rep. Edwards: ‘We Gotta Get Money Attached’ To Highway Bill
Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure panel, called on congressional leaders to ensure highway legislation the panel will consider Oct. 22 is funded.
Rep. Delaney Urges Increased Transportation Funding
With the highway bill less than a week from its expected markup in the House, Rep. John Delaney wrote to Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster on Oct. 15, urging him to increase baseline funding levels.
California Pay-By-Mile Program Will Include Trucks
California officials said they still are seeking volunteers, including truckers, to participate in a pay-by-mile test program scheduled to begin in July.
Mississippi Truckers Dealing With Weight Limits
Mississippi’s Highway 6 is in such bad shape that state transportation officials have declared that its bridges were unsafe for heavy trucks. In fact, for a time, trucks were ticketed for exceeding weight limits.
Oregon Experiments With Pay-By-Mile Program, But Drivers Lacking
Oregon, the first state to establish a gas tax and a weight-mile tax, is back at it again with an experimental pay-by-the-mile program called OrReGO that excludes commercial trucks.
Oklahoma Trucking Association Elects New Director
Jim Newport has been elected executive director of the Oklahoma Trucking Association by the association’s board.
Independent Drivers Earn 29% More, Study Shows
Independent owner-operators earned nearly 29% more net income than employee drivers in 2013, according to a study released Oct. 14 by the California Trucking Association and the Inland Empire Economic Partnership.
Sen. Boxer: House ‘Can Pass a Strong’ Highway Bill
The top Democrat on the Senate’s transportation panel on Oct. 14 expressed optimism about the House’s push to advance a highway reauthorization bill.
October 14, 2015