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WASHINGTON — Congested and deteriorating roadways and inland ports as well as insufficient access to wireless communication in rural communities continues to impede commerce for freight and agricultural industries in farming areas, representatives from rural firms told lawmakers July 19.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach released their proposed 2017 Clean Air Action Plan Update, which calls for zero-emissions trucks, increased use of rail for outbound cargo and support for alternative fuels.

WASHINGTON — A meeting to gather input on ways to improve the Compliance, Safety, Accountability performance scoring program for carriers will be scheduled this year, the country’s top trucking regulator told House lawmakers on July 18.

The developer’s proposal would bring a mammoth warehouse complex to the heart of Lower Nazareth Township in Pennsylvania. It has been fiercely fought — rejected by township supervisors who fear a glut of tractor-trailers on local roads, but resurrected by a Northampton County judge at appeal.

The Department of Transportation’s wireless connected vehicle pilot program, currently in its design, deployment and testing phase, is making progress at its demonstration sites in Wyoming, New York City and Tampa, Fla., the program’s manager told members of an agency advisory committee.

Legislation that would pre-empt state laws on meal and rest breaks for truckers and boost funding for truck safety grants was advanced by a House funding panel on July 17.

Secretary Steven Mnuchin met last week with 25 Teamsters retirees from groups in 15 states. They included Tom Schwarzenberger, who said the focus on possible solutions to the pension’s funding shortfall marked something of a milestone.

On July 13, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that Logistics Plus, which handles transportation and logistics around the world, will expand its headquarters in Erie’s Union Station, creating 44 new jobs.

President Trump laid out his demands July 17 for a new North American Free Trade Agreement, setting the stage for rounds of negotiations among U.S., Canadian and Mexican officials to overhaul the landmark treaty that dictates the nations’ cross-border commerce.

Almost six months into Donald Trump’s presidency, Americans are feeling fairly optimistic about their jobs, the strength of the U.S. economy and their own fortunes. That should be welcome news for the president, except for one thing: The public’s confidence largely appears to be in spite of Trump, not because of him.