Government

A long-term infrastructure funding measure and increased oversight of the Trump administration will be priorities the new Democratic leadership in the U.S. House intends to pursue during the next two years, the incoming chairman of the transportation panel told reporters Nov. 7.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve has left its key policy rate unchanged but signaled that it plans to keep responding to the strong U.S. economy with more interest rate hikes. The next rate increase is expected in December.

A decision last month by a federal judge in Arkansas that truck drivers are entitled to compensation for time in the sleeper berth was preceded by two federal cases that resulted in legal rulings more favorable for carriers, including one that was affirmed by an appeals court.

Voters demonstrated a reluctance to approve new funding measures but a commitment to securing existing funds for transportation purposes during the Nov. 6 election.

The wind changed again in a stormy oil market as OPEC signaled it will consider a return to cutting output next year, potentially making the second production U-turn this year.

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, architect of the controversial RhodeWorks program that includes trucks-only tolls, clinched a second term.

The California Trucking Association and two independent owner-operators are suing California over the state’s test to determine if a driver is an employee or a contractor.

House Democrats will use their new majority to seek deals with President Donald Trump on infrastructure spending and prescription drug costs, but won’t back down on their oversight responsibilities, said party leader Nancy Pelosi, in line to regain the speaker’s gavel.

California voters on Nov. 6 rejected Proposition 6, a measure to repeal a recent increase in the state’s gas tax and one that, in many ways, determines the fate of California’s roads, bridges and transit.