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

Secretary Foxx to Present 30-Year Transportation Draft on Feb. 2

The Department of Transportation will unveil a draft report detailing policy initiatives for the next 30 years on Feb. 2.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 30, 2015
Business, Government

Economy Expands by 2.6% in Fourth Quarter

Gross domestic product grew at a 2.6% annualized rate after a 5% gain in the third quarter that was the fastest since 2003, Commerce Department figures showed Jan. 30 in Washington.

January 30, 2015
Government, Business

Obama’s Budget Request Includes Freight Grant Program, Foxx Says

WASHINGTON — President Obama's upcoming budget request for the Department of Transportation will include parts of the four-year, $302 billion transportation plan the administration unveiled last year, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told lawmakers.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 30, 2015
Government

Senate Approves Keystone XL Pipeline

The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate passed a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline Jan. 29, setting up a conflict with President Barack Obama, who has promised a veto.

January 29, 2015
Business, Government, Autonomous

Jacoby Named Trala CEO

Jake Jacoby has been named CEO of the Truck Renting and Leasing Association, the group’s executive committee announced last week.

January 29, 2015
Government, Business, Fuel, Safety

Former Pa. Governor Urges Senators to Raise Gas Tax

Reminding lawmakers about the urgent need to rebuild the country's aging transportation network, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) told a key Senate panel on Jan. 29 that they need to raise fuel taxes.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 29, 2015
Government, Business, Safety

Sens. Boxer, Paul Team Up to Boost Highway Trust Fund

Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, the top Democrat on the transportation policy-writing Environment and Public Works Committee, announced on Jan. 29 she has teamed up with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul on legislation that would use revenue from repatriation to pay for highway construction.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 29, 2015
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

FMCSA Should Shift Focus to Crash Causes, Industry Exec Tells Senators

 The general counsel for one of the nation’s largest trucking companies told a Senate panel that to reinforce the recent reduction in truck crashes the federal government must redirect its safety efforts to address the primary causes.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
January 29, 2015
Government, Business

Trucks, Pipeline Carry More Nafta Freight in November

U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico totaled $96.3 billion in November as two transportation modes — truck and pipeline — carried more freight than in November 2013, the Department of Transportation reported Jan. 29.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
January 29, 2015
Business, Safety, Fuel, Government

Kentucky, Ohio Governors Trying to Jump-Start Bridge Project

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) have directed their transportation departments to devise what they call “a cost-saving plan that limits tolls” but moves forward with rebuilding the Brent Spence Bridge linking the states.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
January 29, 2015