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.
Rep. Diaz-Balart to Oversee House Transportation Funding Committee in 114th Congress
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) will be the next chairman of the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, the full committee’s chairman announced Nov. 20.
Consumer Prices Little Changed as Fuel Costs Decrease
The cost of living in the U.S. was little changed in October, reflecting a drop in energy prices that has yet to filter through to other goods and services.
November 20, 2014White House Nominates NTSB Board Member Rosekind to Lead NHTSA
Mark Rosekind, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, has been nominated to run the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The White House made the announcement Nov. 19.
Key House Democrat DeFazio Sees Opportunity to Pass Long-Term Highway Bill Next Congress
Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon, elected Nov. 19 as the House Democrats’ top transportation leader in the next Congress, told Transport Topics this week he is hopeful about Congress’ chances of advancing a long-term highway bill before the current law expires in May.
Michigan Lawmakers Might Switch Existing Fuel Tax for Wholesale Levy
The Michigan House may address a bill in December that was passed by the Senate last week to replace the state’s per-gallon levies on gasoline and diesel with a wholesale sales tax on fuel that would reach 15.5% by 2018.
Final ELD Rule Not Expected Til Late 2015, FMCSA Says
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration does not expect to publish its final rule mandating the use of electronic logging devices for carriers until Sept. 30, 2015, the agency said in its November significant rulemakings report.
WSTA’s Hicks Calls on Congress to Pass Long-Term Highway Bill
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — At his group’s fall meeting, Western States Transportation Alliance Executive Director R.J. Hicks called on federal lawmakers to pass a long-term highway bill that gives states better financial guidance for planning infrastructure projects.
Congress Works On Omnibus Spending Bill
House and Senate Appropriations funding leaders plan to unveil a fiscal 2015 omnibus spending bill soon — a measure backed by trucking leaders hoping to turn back a law regulating how long a driver can be behind the wheel.
November 17, 2014Senate Likely to Hold Confirmation Vote on NTSB’s Hart Before End of the Year
The Senate is expected to vote on the nomination of Christopher Hart to become chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, and possibly vote on the nominations of other senior transportation nominees, during the lame-duck period that runs through the end of December, a senior Democratic aide told reporters.
November 17, 2014House Approves Keystone XL Pipeline
The House of Representatives easily approved construction of the Keystone XL pipeline Nov. 14, the first vote on the controversial issue since Congress returned to Washington this week for its lame duck session.