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.
Job Openings Fell in April From March’s Record High
U.S. job openings fell in April from a record in the prior month though remained elevated at about double the number of unemployed Americans, suggesting little relief for employers struggling to attract and retain workers.
Proposal Seeks Increase in Port Diesel Fee
LONG BEACH, Calif. — San Pedro Bay ports charge $10 per container for transport that isn’t by a zero-emission truck, but an environmental group wants to combine a higher fee with incentives to accelerate adoption of cleaner trucks.
Biden to Devote $2.1 Billion to Strengthen Food Supply Chain
The Biden administration on June 1 will announce $2.1 billion in new funding to bolster food supply chains, including initiatives to expand small- and midsized processing plants, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture official.
Diesel Sheds 3.2¢ to $5.539 in Third Straight Decrease
The national average price for diesel dropped 3.2 cents to $5.539 a gallon, according to Energy Information Administration data released May 30.
Biden Plots Inflation Fight With Fed Chair
WASHINGTON — Focused on relentlessly rising prices, President Joe Biden plotted inflation-fighting strategy May 31 with the chairman of the Federal Reserve, with the fate of the economy and his own political prospects increasingly dependent on the actions of the government’s central bank.
May 31, 2022High School Prepares Students for Transportation Careers
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Students from Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo High School watched transportation leaders at the Metrans International Urban Freight Conference, which met just a few miles from the sprawling Port of Long Beach.
FMCSA Extends COVID Emergency Declaration to Aug. 31
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended regulatory waivers related to truckers’ allowable work time, citing continuing public health concerns over COVID-19.
Consumer Confidence Slips in May Amid Stubborn Inflation
SILVER SPRING, Md. — U.S. consumer confidence edged lower in May as Americans’ view of their present and future prospects dimmed in the midst of persistent inflation.
Supply Chain Relief Sparks Feud Over Degree of Softer Economy
Some supply strains in the U.S. are easing, two years after a jump in demand started emptying shelves, snarling shipping and sowing the seeds of soaring inflation.
Shanghai Moves Toward Ending 2-Month COVID-19 Lockdown
SHANGHAI — Shanghai authorities say they will take major steps June 1 toward reopening China’s largest city after a two-month COVID-19 lockdown that has set back the national economy and largely confined millions of people to their homes.