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.
Mich. May Replace Per-Gallon Tax with Wholesale Levies on Fuels
Michigan state senators are still attempting to hammer out a transportation funding plan that would replace the state’s per-gallon tax on diesel and gasoline with a wholesale sales tax on fuel.
June 2, 2014Rules Committee Paves Way for Transportation Spending Bill on House Floor
The House Rules Committee adopted an open rule process for a fiscal 2015 transportation funding bill by voice vote on May 29.
Nafta Trade Value Rises 6.2% in March
U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico in March increased by 6.2% to $101.5 billion from 2013, to the second highest amount on record, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported May 29.
May 29, 2014Could Post Office Become Highway Funding Source?
Raising the U.S. gasoline tax is out as a way to shore up the Highway Trust Fund. So is taxing drivers based on the number of miles they clock. A plan to use taxes on companies’ overseas profits hasn’t gone anywhere.
GAO Says Defense Department Should Improve on Hazmat Shipments
A federal report said the Department of Defense should improve the regulations and procedures governing the transportation of hazardous materials.
DOT Should Establish New Accountability Measures for TIGER, GAO Says
The U.S. Department of Transportation should establish new accountability measures for the grant program known as TIGER, including documenting how decisions are made to award grants, a new report from the General Accountability Office said.
Senate Commerce Panel Schedules Highway Bill Hearing June 3
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee plans to meet June 3 to consider a $265 billion transportation policy bill that was approved by another committee on May 15.
Economy Contracted 1% in First Quarter
The U.S. economy contracted at a 1% annual pace in the first quarter compared with the previous quarter, the first contraction since 2011, the Commerce Department reported May 29.
May 29, 2014House Rules Panel Takes Up Transportation Spending Bill May 29
The House Rules Committee will meet May 29 to set the conditions for floor debate of a fiscal 2015 transportation spending bill.
Connecticut Diesel Tax Will Drop Slightly on July 1
Truckers buying fuel in Connecticut will get a bit of a break starting July 1 when the state tax on diesel drops 0.4 cents per gallon.