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Durable goods orders rose 1.9% April, the largest gain in more than a year, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Legislation introduced by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) would ban the tolls on the National Highway System.

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) said he would veto the state’s budget if it includes a 15-cent fuel tax passed by the House and under consideration in the Senate, the Associated Press reported.

Consumer confidence rose in May in the biggest gain in six years, the New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday.

Oil prices held near $61 a barrel Tuesday in advance of this week’s OPEC meeting, at which cartel ministers were expected to keep production levels steady, Bloomberg reported.

With the transportation industry challenged by extraordinary economic conditions, executives are devoting much time and effort to dealing with factors beyond their direct control, such as escalating fuel, vehicle and equipment costs. I believe they are leaving money on the table by not streamlining back-office processes that can offset these often-unforeseen external costs.

With respect to the senators, when planning the needs for surface transportation, what practical experience do they or anyone reporting to them have in transportation?

Some 10,000 enforcement officers plan to mix a little fiscal accountability with their safety inspections during next week’s Roadcheck campaign, and we hope that is not a bad idea.

NEW YORK — Trucking fleets saddled with potential multibillion-dollar liability for underfunded union pension plans will look to Congress for a legislative remedy this year, company officials and experts said.