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.
Bill Would Create National EV Charging Network in Five Years
WASHINGTON — Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) is reintroducing the EV Freedom Act, which seeks to build a nationwide electric vehicle charging network within five years.
Delays Continue for Potential New FMCSA System to Score Carrier Safety
Nearly four years after it was first introduced, FMCSA has yet to make an official call on whether to incorporate the highly complex data method known as Item Response Theory — or IRT — into its Compliance, Safety, Accountability motor carrier safety rating program.
ATA Commends Caucus’ User Fee Funding Approach
A U.S. House caucus’ legislative funding strategy that considers an increase to fuel taxes for infrastructure systems garnered praise from the country’s premier trucking association.
Indiana Awards $100 Million in Matching Funds for Local Infrastructure Projects
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness recently announced $100.2 million in state matching funds have been distributed to local government agencies to support road and bridge projects.
Small Business COVID-19 PPP Runs Out of Money
The Small Business Administration said May 5 that the Paycheck Protection Program has been exhausted, after giving out nearly 10.8 million loans worth more than $780 billion since April 2020.
ODFL's David Congdon Receives North Carolina Award
David Congdon, executive chairman of Old Dominion Freight Line, received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award on April 22.
May 5, 2021Canadian Provinces Team With North Dakota to Vaccinate Cross-Border Truckers
Leaders from North Dakota and two Canadian provinces have reached agreements to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to Canada-based truckers who cross the border to deliver goods.
Raimondo Calls for Surge in Chip Production
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo called for a major increase in U.S. production capacity for computer chips whose current shortages are causing global manufacturing bottlenecks, saying the push could create jobs and wean the nation off over-dependence on China and Taiwan.
California Trucking Association to Appeal AB 5 Decision
The California Trucking Association will appeal a court decision on the state’s independent contractor law that many in trucking deem unfavorable to the industry, CTA CEO Shawn Yadon said on May 3.
US Trade Gap Widened to Record $74.4 Billion in March
The U.S. trade deficit widened to a record in March as the value of imports surged to a new high.