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.
Movers Put Volume First When Eyeing Equipment
When it comes to what relocation companies want in the vehicles they use to move household goods and similar items, fleet managers said two words come to mind — cube, as in cubic feet, and customization.
March 4, 2013FMCSA Names Five New Members to Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has appointed five representatives from motor carrier stakeholder groups to its Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, FMCSA said Friday.
Nafta Surface Trade Slips 3.2% in December
Surface trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico fell 3.2% in December from the same month a year earlier, the Department of Transportation said Thursday.
February 28, 2013GDP Revised to a Small Increase From Previously Negative Estimate
The U.S. economy grew at a 0.1% annual rate in the fourth quarter, turning around a previously reported negative reading, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
February 28, 2013FMCSA Tells ATA It Will Not Delay HOS Enforcement
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said it will not delay enforcement of the latest changes to the hours-of-service rules for truck drivers, saying that American Trucking Associations did not demonstrate enough harm to the industry and law enforcement to merit such a delay.
ATA Backs 65-MPH Speed Limit, Funding SmartWay Program
American Trucking Associations told a task force attempting to revive the issue of climate change that it should consider legislation lowering the national speed limit for all vehicles to 65 mph and increase funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program.
Virginia Lawmakers Approve New Transportation Plan
The Virginia General Assembly passed a sweeping transportation plan that would cut the state’s retail taxes on diesel and gasoline and replace them with a wholesale tax on fuel distributors, raise the state’s sales tax to help fund transportation projects and curtail plans to toll Interstate 95.
February 26, 2013Minnesota Tax Proposal Draws Trucking Industry’s Concern
A Minnesota proposal to impose a new 5.5% tax on a wide range of services that include trucking would add a large cost to the state’s trucking industry, the Minnesota Trucking Association said.
Missouri Lawmakers Consider Adding a Penny to Sales Tax for Transportation
Missouri lawmakers are debating whether to add a penny to the state sales tax and dedicate the new revenue to transportation.
Wisconsin Voters to Decide on Lockbox for State’s Transportation Fund
Wisconsin voters will have the chance next year to approve an amendment to their state constitution that would prevent governors and legislators from diverting money in the state’s transportation fund to any other purpose.