The House on July 15 passed a five-month extension of federal highway funding authority, giving the Senate about two weeks to act on the measure before such authority expires.
July 15, 2015GovernmentBusinessFuel
Energy Prices Help Spending, Hinder Manufacturing, Beige Book Report Says
U.S. economic activity continued to expand from mid-May through June, with lower energy prices helping to boost consumer spending but remaining a drag on manufacturing, the Federal Reserve said July 15.
July 15, 2015GovernmentBusiness
ARTBA: Short-Term Trust Fund Extension Would Only Delay Long-Term Solution
A cloud of uncertainty looms over plans by the Environment and Public Works Committee to pass a six-year highway bill, especially after House Republican leaders Paul Ryan and Bill Shuster introduced legislation July 13 to extend the authorization of transportation funding until mid-December.
July 15, 2015GovernmentBusiness
White House Supports House Short-Term Highway Bill
The Obama administration indicated it supports passage of legislation that would authorize funding for highway programs through mid-December, a bill the House is considering July 15.
July 15, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafety
OOIDA, CVTA Among Groups Voicing Opposition to Hair Testing for Drug Use
Trade organizations representing truck drivers and commercial vehicle driver training schools were among those who said they have concerns about using hair specimens to drug test drivers.
July 15, 2015Government
Investigators Unable to Determine Why Trucker Crossed Median in 2014 Crash That Killed 10
Federal investigators said they could not determine what caused a truck driver to cross the median in a fiery truck-motorcoach crash last year in Orland, California, that killed 10 people.
July 14, 2015GovernmentBusiness
House Republicans Propose Short-Term Fix for Highway Fund; Vote Likely July 15
House Republican leaders on July 13 introduced legislation that would authorize $8 billion in funding for highways through mid-December.
July 14, 2015Government
Delaware Budget Boosts Transportation Trust Fund but Hikes Truck Fees
A new state budget approved by Democratic Delaware Gov. Jack Markell earlier this month will sweeten the state’s transportation trust fund beginning in fiscal year 2016 but also will increase several fees for trucks.
July 14, 2015Government
Sen. James Inhofe to Keynote ARTBA Conference
Sen. James Inhofe, chairman of the chamber’s transportation policy committee, is scheduled to deliver keynote remarks July 16 at a conference focusing on public-private partnerships hosted by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.
July 13, 2015BusinessGovernmentSafety
Top 100 Carriers Get More Selective With Freight as Capacity Remains Tight
The nation’s largest for-hire carriers are becoming more selective about the freight they haul, taking steps to minimize delays and focusing on better utilization of equipment and personnel as strong demand and a shortage of drivers continue to strain capacity.
July 13, 2015