Transportation Compliance News

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.

GovernmentBusiness

FMCSA Sends HOS Proposal to White House

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sent its proposal for a new hours-of-service rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review Monday, meeting the first of its court-appointed deadlines for issuing the rule.

July 27, 2010
Letters to the EditorBusinessGovernment

Longer Vehicles; Road, Bridge Names; Seat Belts

The July 12 issue of Transport Topics reported on the recently passed resolution of the Western Governors’ Association that calls on Congress to allow for longer combination vehicle pilot programs: “Western Governors Back New Pilot Programs to Study Effects of Longer Trailer Combinations.â€

July 26, 2010
BusinessSafetyGovernment

HOS Cuts Seen Forcing Supply Chain Changes

Shippers said potential cuts in driving time and total work hours sought by the opponents of the current hours-of-service rule could force costly changes in the supply chain and further tighten capacity.

July 26, 2010
BusinessGovernmentFuel

Obama Signs Financial Reform Legislation that Aims to Curb Speculation in Oil, Fuel

President Obama signed into law a financial reform bill that includes provisions aimed at reducing speculative trading in commodities such as crude oil and diesel fuel and limiting the fees that credit-card companies can charge merchants for their services.

July 26, 2010
GovernmentBusiness

Leading Economic Indicators Drop 0.2%

An index of leading economic indicators fell 0.2% in June, the second drop in three months, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

July 22, 2010
GovernmentBusiness

I-5 ‘Corridor Toll’ Proposed for Columbia River Crossing

The mayor of Vancouver, Wash., has proposed using a “corridor toll†on Interstate 5 that would require motorists to help pay for the Columbia River Crossing, a project replacing the existing bridge and most recently estimated to cost $3.6 billion.

July 20, 2010
GovernmentBusiness

Pennsylvania Turnpike Tolls to Rise in January

Truckers without E-ZPass will pay about 10% more than they do today to run the Pennsylvania Turnpike under a new rate schedule scheduled to take effect in January.

July 20, 2010
GovernmentBusinessSafety

N.J. Exempts Truckers’ CBs from Handheld-Device Ban

New Jersey has exempted truck drivers using with CBs and two-way radios from its prohibition against using handheld communication devices while driving.

July 20, 2010
GovernmentBusiness

Virginia Gov. Wants to Privatize Liquor Sales for Road Money

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) wants to take the state out of the retail liquor business by privatizing its system of state-owned stores in order to generate much-needed cash for transportation projects.

July 20, 2010
BusinessGovernment

Opinion: A Believable Stimulus

With President Obama and the Democratic leadership in Congress pressing for new stimulus legislation — now called a jobs bill — it’s time to pose this question: If we are going to invest federal money in projects with the stated aim of creating jobs, where is it best spent?

July 20, 2010