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

FMCSA Raises Fines, Penalties as Part of MAP-21

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Oct. 1 announced 17 regulatory changes mandated by last year’s transportation law, ranging from increased civil penalties to expanding some of the agency’s power to more severely punish other regulatory violations.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
October 1, 2013
Government, Business, Safety

Proposal Would Require Tank Endorsements for More Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a proposed rule that could require as many as nearly 300,000 less-than-truckload drivers to obtain tanK-vehicle endorsements.

October 1, 2013
Government, Business

Congress Backs Increased Funding to Fix Flood-Damaged Colo. Roads

The U.S. House and Senate are backing increased funding to fix Colorado’s flood-damaged roads, the Associated Press reported.

October 1, 2013
Government

EEOC Appeals $4.7 Mln. Order in CRST Case

The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission on Sept. 30 appealed a federal judge’s order to pay CRST Van Expedited Inc. $4.7 million in attorneys’ fees and expenses in connection with the agency’s 2007 class action sexual harassment lawsuit the judge called “frivolous.”

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
October 1, 2013
Government, Business

Nafta Surface Trade Grows 6.8%

Surface trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico grew 6.8% in July from the same month last year and fell 1.4% from June, the Department of Transportation reported.

September 30, 2013
Government

Consumer Confidence Falls to Five-Month Low

Consumer confidence fell to a five-month low this month, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index released Sept. 27.

September 27, 2013
Government, Safety

House Approves Bill Requiring FMCSA To Conduct Rulemaking on Apnea

The U.S. House passed a bill Sept. 26 to require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to conduct a full rulemaking process if it wants to require sleep apnea testing and treatment for truck drivers.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
September 26, 2013
Government, Business

I-43 Bridge in Wisconsin Closed Due to Sagging

A bridge on Interstate 43 in Green Bay, Wis., will remain closed indefinitely after a support pier settled, causing the roadway to sag about 2 feet, the Associated Press reported.

September 26, 2013
Government, Business

Boxer Proposes Eliminating, Replacing Fuel Tax

The chairwoman of the Senate committee that will write the next highway bill said she wants to end the per-gallon federal  fuel taxes Americans pay at the pump.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
September 26, 2013
Government

U.S. Postal Service Wants First Class Stamp Hike

The financially strapped U.S. Postal Service wants to raise the price of a first-class stamp to 49 cents, Bloomberg News reported.

September 26, 2013