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WASHINGTON — The cost of moving and storing goods nationwide fell 3.5% last year, the first decline in logistics-related ex-penses in six years, despite 2% higher transportation expenses. Manufacturers and retailers slashed inventories and excess capacity limited the ability of freight carriers to raise prices, according to a new report.

YRC Worldwide last week said it has reached an agreement with the largest pension fund that pays benefits to YRC’s unionized employees. The agreement allows the company to defer $83 million in second-quarter pension payments while it provides real estate as collateral.

WASHINGTON — Setting up what could be a major confrontation between Congress and the White House over transportation policy, a key House committee unveiled a $500 billion blueprint to remake the U.S. transport system, while on the same day the administration instead proposed extending the current plan for 18 months.

The Massachusetts Senate has approved a transportation reform bill that would avoid a planned toll increase in tolls and would abolish the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority by the end of the year, the Associated Press reported.

A carrier’s primary mission is to operate profitably while keeping customers loyal. However, less-than-truckload carrier sales teams often fall short of the mark because they work separately from the operations division and often are at cross-purposes unintentionally.

An index of leading economic indicators rose 1.2% last month, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

Manufacturing levels in the Philadelphia region improved this month but still showed contraction, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Thursday.

The consumer price index gained 0.1% in May and declined over the past year by the biggest amount since 1950, the Labor Department said Wednesday.