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

Trump Says He’ll Ask Congress for Additional Economic Stimulus

President Donald Trump said he’ll ask Congress to pass more economic stimulus, including a payroll tax cut, even after the government reported a surprise improvement in U.S. unemployment June 5.

June 5, 2020
Government, Business

China Behind on Purchases in Phase One of Trade Deal

President Donald Trump’s promise that his phase one trade deal with China would provide a $36.5 billion election-year bonanza for his rural base was always a stretch. Now it looks like it may never be fulfilled.

June 5, 2020
Government, Technology

DOT Finalizes Transportation Self-Governance Program for Tribes

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a final rule to create the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program.

Eleanor Lamb | Staff Reporter
June 5, 2020
Government, Business, Safety

Senate Panel Seeks Input From Passenger Transportation Sector

Stakeholders representing the passenger transportation sector were asked by the Senate Commerce Committee to share concerns about the impact from the coronavirus pandemic.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 5, 2020
Government, Business

US Unemployment Drops Unexpectedly to 13.3%

The U.S. unemployment rate fell unexpectedly in May to 13.3% — still on par with what the nation witnessed during the Great Depression — as states loosened their coronavirus lockdowns and businesses began recalling workers faster than economists had predicted.

Christopher Rugaber | Associated Press
June 5, 2020
Government, Fuel

Montana County Votes for Local Gas Tax

Voters in Missoula County, Mont., recently approved a gas tax as a way to finance local transportation projects.

Eleanor Lamb | Staff Reporter
June 4, 2020
Government, Business, Logistics

Port Slowdown Affects Workers Who Rely on Cargo, Leaders Say

Port leaders are raising caution the decline in business at their facilities could affect those whose employment relies on the flow of goods.

Dan Ronan | Senior Reporter
June 4, 2020
Government, Business, Technology, Safety, Autonomous

Study: Autonomous Vehicles Won’t Make Roads Completely Safe

A new study says that while autonomous vehicle technology has great promise to reduce crashes, it may not be able to prevent all mishaps caused by human error.

Tom Krisher | Associated Press
June 4, 2020
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Trucking-Related Companies Find It Difficult to Identify 'Conflict Minerals' in Supply Chains

It has been more than six years since America’s public companies began searching for African “conflict minerals” throughout their supply chains, and it remains difficult for trucking-related companies to know if some of their products are being made using tantalum, tin, tungsten or gold, or “3TG,” mined and refined in Congo and nine of its neighbor countries.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
June 4, 2020
Government, Business, Safety, Fuel

Cristobal Expected to Regain Strength After Storm’s Pass Over Mexico

The hills of the Yucatan Peninsula sapped Tropical Storm Cristobal of some of its power on June 4, but forecasters warn it will likely gain strength as it heads north across the Gulf of Mexico to the U.S coast, where it could bring downpours, high winds and rough surf.

Brian K. Sullivan | Bloomberg News
June 4, 2020