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, Business

Consumer Confidence Reaches New Record Low

Consumer confidence fell to a new record low in January, the Conference Board said Tuesday.

January 27, 2009
Government, Business

Leading Indicators Rise 0.3% in December

An index of leading economic indicators rose 0.3% in December, marking the first gain in six months, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

January 26, 2009
Government, Business, Safety, Fuel

ATRI: ULSD Has More Energy Than Engineers First Expected

Ultra-low-sulfur diesel, the standard fuel of heavy-duty trucking since late 2006, has more energy content than engineers originally had expected, a welcome surprise, according to a study from the American Transportation Research Institute.

January 26, 2009
Business, Safety, Technology, Government

Former ATA Chairman Kuntz Joins SkyBitz Board

Ray Kuntz, immediate past chairman of American Trucking Associations, has joined the board of directors at trailer tracking firm SkyBitz, the company said Monday.

January 26, 2009
Business, Government, Equipment

Eaton’s Fourth-Quarter Income Declines

Vehicle parts manufacturer Eaton Corp. said Monday its fourth-quarter profit fell to $163 million, or 98 cents per share, from $256 million, or $1.71, a year earlier.

January 26, 2009
Government, Business, Safety, Fuel

Obama Signs Order for EPA to Allow Stricter Auto Emissions Rules

President Obama Monday signed an order directing the Environmental Protection Agency approve a waiver for California and 13 other states to set stricter automobile emission and boost fuel efficiency standards.

January 26, 2009
Business, Logistics, Government

Existing Home Sales Rise in November

Existing homes sales increased 6.5% in November, while the median price of a home fell 15% from the same month last year, the biggest drop on record, the National Association of Realtors said Monday.

January 26, 2009
Business, Logistics, Government

Gas Gains 8¢ in Two Weeks to $1.86, Lundberg Says

Gasoline’s national average price rose 8 cents over the two weeks ended Friday to $1.86 a gallon, according to the latest Lundberg Survey of filling stations released Sunday.

January 26, 2009
Government

FMCSA Denies HOS Appeal

In its final hours, the Bush administration emphatically denied a request to overturn its controversial driver hours-of-service rule, leaving the twice-rejected measure in place, at least for now.

January 26, 2009
Business, Safety, Government

LaHood Backs Partnerships, Tolls on New Highway Lanes

WASHINGTON — Ray LaHood, President Obama’s choice to lead the Department of Transportation, said tolls and public-private partnerships should be among the ways Congress funds infrastructure construction, but existing interstate highway lanes should remain toll-free.

January 26, 2009