Obama: Fixing Roads, Bridges Will Be a Second-Term Priority
WASHINGTON — Infrastructure funding was in the spotlight last week on Capitol Hill, both in President Obama’s State of the Union speech and at a congressional hearing.
February 18, 2013States Seek New Funding for Infrastructure Upgrades
With federal highway funds dwindling, some states are proposing unprecedented fuel-tax increases, while others are considering legalized gaming and boosting sales taxes to pay for roads and bridge fixes.
February 18, 2013FMCSA Launches Bus Safety Crackdown
In the wake of two West Coast bus crashes that each killed multiple passengers within weeks of each other, federal officials have launched a crackdown on unsafe bus operations, in which officers and auditors will investigate high-risk motorcoach companies.
February 15, 2013Va. Lawmakers Reach Tentative Deal on Transportation Funding
Virginia House and Senate negotiators agreed to a compromise transportation plan Wednesday that would eliminate the per-gallon tax on diesel and gasoline, replacing both with wholesale taxes paid by fuel distributors, the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch reported.
February 15, 2013Consumer Confidence Rises in February
Consumer confidence rose in February, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index released Friday.
February 15, 2013Lautenberg Won’t Seek Re-Election in 2014
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), a longtime advocate of transportation safety and infrastructure, will not seek reelection in 2014, he announced Thursday.
February 14, 2013DOT Seeking Nominations for Freight Advisory Committee
The U.S. Department of Transportation said Thursday it is seeking nominations for a committee to advise leaders about freight policies aimed at improving the national freight transportation system.
February 14, 2013House Committee Hears Concerns on Transportation, Infrastructure Funding
The House Transportation Committee’s first hearing of the new Congress focused on the challenges of maintaining the nation’s roads and bridges, and Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) pledged to maintain the federal government’s role in transportation infrastructure funding.
February 14, 2013U.S., European Union to Pursue Free-Trade Deal
The United States and the European Union said they will begin talks for a transatlantic free-trade deal, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
February 14, 2013Virginia Senate Favors Boosting Fuel Tax
The Virginia Senate has passed a transportation funding bill that would increase the 17.5-cent tax on gasoline and diesel by 5 cents to 22.5 cents, putting the senators at odds with the House and Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, who want to stop taxing gasoline but keep the diesel tax.
February 14, 2013