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.
Tesla Fires Unionizing Autopilot Workers, Complaint Alleges
Tesla Inc. terminated dozens of employees Feb. 15 at its plant in Buffalo, N.Y., one day after Autopilot workers at the facility announced a union campaign, organizers said in a complaint.
Biden Nominates Carlson for Top NHTSA Role
President Joe Biden announced Ann Carlson as his nominee to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Port of Baltimore Readies for More Freight From ZIM
Trucking efficiency improvements are underway at the Port of Baltimore as ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. prepares to soon double its e-commerce service there with larger container vessels.
ATA’s Chris Spear Presses Excise Tax Repeal at Senate Hearing
WASHINGTON — Federal policymakers seeking to modernize freight industry vehicles should revisit efforts to repeal a long-standing excise tax on new trucks, the leader of American Trucking Associations told a Senate committee Feb. 15.
Federal Judge Sentences Four Involved in Staged New Orleans Crashes
Four more individuals have been sentenced for their role in staged crashes with tractor-trailers in the New Orleans area.
Midwest US Ethanol Push Seen to Lift Gas Costs
Motorists in the Midwest U.S. could expect to pay more for gasoline under a fuel policy shift demanded by governors in the region, with a new refining industry-commissioned analysis outlining larger-than-expected impacts of the change.
Retail Sales Jump in January, Defying Inflation and Rate Hikes
WASHINGTON — America’s consumers rebounded in January from a weak holiday shopping season by boosting their spending at stores and restaurants at the fastest pace in nearly two years.
Tesla Will Make Some EV Chargers Available to All
WASHINGTON — Electric car giant Tesla will make some of its charging stations available to all U.S. electric vehicles by the end of next year, under a new plan announced Feb. 15 by the White House.
Florida Seeks Reforms for Insurance Litigation, Frivolous Lawsuits
Florida lawmakers are readying a series of reforms aimed at frivolous lawsuits that target trucking companies and other small businesses in the state.
FMCSA Proposes Changes to Its Motor Carrier Safety Measurement System
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced it won’t adopt a complex data collection method recommended in 2017 by a special National Academy of Sciences academic panel to calculate safety scores for motor carriers.