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.

Business, Safety, Government

Coalition Criticizes FMCSA Over Mexican Trucks Plan

A coalition of groups led by Public Citizen and the Teamsters union said Wednesday that the Department of Transportation was ignoring federal safety laws in implementing a pilot program that would allow Mexican trucks to travel throughout the United States.

June 20, 2007
Government, Business

Senate Authorizes Lawsuits Against OPEC

The Senate approved legislation late Tuesday that would allow the federal government to sue OPEC oil cartel nations under antitrust laws, Bloomberg reported.

June 20, 2007
Fuel, Business, Government

Senate Panel Backs Alternative Fuel Tax Breaks

A Senate committee approved $28 billion in tax breaks Tuesday to underwrite renewable fuels and “clean coal” technology, but the full Senate cut back provisions that would greatly expand diesel fuel made from coal, the New York Times reported.

June 20, 2007
Government, Business

FTC Clears $7.4 Billion Chrysler Sale

Federal antitrust regulators cleared a private-equity firm’s $7.4 billion purchase of Chrysler from DaimlerChrysler, the Associated Press reported.

June 20, 2007
Business, Government, Fuel

Oil Rises to Nine-Month High, Nearing $70 a Barrel

Crude oil futures rose to a nine-month high Tuesday, closing at $69.10 a barrel, the highest New York Mercantile Exchange closing price since Sept. 1, Bloomberg reported.

June 19, 2007
Government, Business, Safety

N.Y. Gov. Sees Passage of Congestion Fee

A proposed plan to charge fees on vehicles entering New York’s business district could win approval from state lawmakers as soon as Thursday, according to Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Bloomberg News reported. (Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.)

June 19, 2007
Fuel, Business, Logistics, Government

Diesel Rises 1.3¢ to $2.805; Gas Falls to Just Over $3

Diesel fuel’s national average retail price rose 1.3 cents $2.805 a gallon, while gasoline fell 6.7 cents but remained just over $3, the Department of Energy said Monday.

June 19, 2007
Government

Housing Starts Fall 2.1%

Housing starts fell 2.1% in May, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

June 19, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

Analyst Lowers 2Q Outlook

An analyst with Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. lowered the second-quarter and full-year earnings estimates on 13 freight companies — including 12 trucking companies — citing continued softness in the transportation market, the Associated Press reported.

June 18, 2007
Government, Business, Safety, Fuel

Democrats Demand Action on ‘Hot’ Fuel

WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats said steps need to be taken to ensure that U.S. consumers are not getting shortchanged by “hot” fuel, but representatives of the fuel retailing industry said adjusting sales by temperature was unnecessary and would hurt small businesses.

June 18, 2007