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.
Boehner, Pelosi Re-elected to House Posts
John Boehner (R-Ohio) has been re-elected to a third term as speaker of the House, despite defections by 25 Republicans, who didn’t vote or cast their votes for a handful of other names.
Calif. Gov. Brown Wants Petroleum Use Cut 50%, More Money for Roads, Bridges
California Gov. Jerry Brown wants to see a 50% reduction in petroleum use by cars and trucks by 2030 and a greater investment in roads and bridges as soon as possible.
Brake Violations Climb to 16.2%, CVSA Reports
The out-of-service rate for the annual Brake Safety Week in September was 16.2%, up from 13.5% in 2013, said the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
Service Industries Expand at Slowest Pace in Six Months
Service industries expanded in December at the slowest pace in six months, indicating the biggest part of the U.S. economy cooled as the year drew to a close.
Sen. Thune: Congress Should Consider All Options to Fund Infrastructure
The next chairman of a key Senate transportation panel said federal lawmakers should “look at all the options” to keep infrastructure projects funded in the coming years.
Sen. Sanders to Introduce Infrastructure Bill
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) plans to introduce a bill in the new session of Congress to authorize $1 trillion in spending over several years to rebuild the nation’s roads and bridges and invest in other infrastructure modernization projects.
Truck-Crash Deaths Inch Up
Highway fatalities from truck-involved crashes on U.S. roads rose by 0.5% in 2013, while injuries declined to 95,000 from 104,000, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported.
January 5, 2015Key GOP Senator Plans to Advance 5-Year Highway Funding Bill in 2015
The Senate Republican expected to take over a key transportation panel Jan. 6 said he plans to advance a five-year highway bill to ensure there’s funding for infrastructure projects that benefit the trucking industry.
January 5, 2015Fate of Cross-Border Trucking Still Unclear After Report Calls Mexican Pilot Too Small
The possibility of more Mexican trucks running in the United States is still up in the air after a recent report by the Department of Transportation’s Inspector General concluded participation in a three-year pilot program was too small to yield sufficient safety data.
January 5, 2015House Democratic Leaders Want Keystone Vetted in Committee, Not on Floor
The incoming ranking Democrats on three House committees with jurisdiction over Keystone XL pipeline bills have asked Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) not to bypass the committee process by going straight to the floor for a vote on what they called an issue of such magnitude.