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.
Report Says More U.S. Infrastructure Spending Would Boost Jobs, Economy
Increasing annual U.S. infrastructure spending by $157 billion in the next eight years would save $3.1 trillion in gross domestic product, $1.1 trillion in trade and 3.5 million jobs, according to a new report.
January 15, 2013Mass. Weighs Tax Options as Part of Transportation Funding Plans
Massachusetts would have to increase its gasoline and diesel tax to 51 cents from 21 cents a gallon in order to erase long-standing transportation deficits and meet annual transit and highway needs, according to a report released Monday by the state’s Department of Transportation.
Business Inventories Rise 0.3% for Second Month
Business inventories rose 0.3% in November, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.
January 15, 2013BTS Releases Pocket Guide to Transportation
The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics said it has released its 2013 Pocket Guide to Transportation.
January 15, 2013Supreme Court Agrees to Hear ATA Appeal in L.A. Port Case
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from American Trucking Associations in ATA’s lawsuit over what it calls “burdensome” requirements the Port of Los Angeles has put on fleets serving the port, the court said.
U.S. Rules Spur E-Log Use, According to Fleets, Vendors
Pressure from federal safety regulations and the latest transportation bill is pushing more carriers to make the switch from paper driver logs to electronic logging through in-cab systems, according to fleets and vendors.
January 14, 2013Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Rockefeller to Retire in 2014
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the powerful Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, announced Friday that he will not seek reelection in 2014 after serving five terms in the U.S. Senate.
U.S. Trade Deficit Expands 15.8% in November
The U.S. trade deficit increased by 15.8% in November, the Commerce Department said Friday.
January 11, 2013Letters: EOBR ‘Opinion,’ CSA Scores, HOS Rules
Both ATA and TCA support mandating devices that simply record hours-of-service status, but they do not support requiring fleets to purchase multifunction fleet management systems, which typically cost far more.
January 11, 2013Virginia Gov. McDonnell Proposes Eliminating Gasoline Tax
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) announced a proposal Tuesday to remove the state’s gasoline tax, which would make Virginia the first state in the country to eliminate that tax.
January 9, 2013