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Despite reports about costly congestion and the deteriorating state of America’s roads and bridges, Congress failed for the third consecutive year to produce a long-term surface transportation spending plan.

The Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill to create a national freight program that its sponsors said would boost America’s global economic competitiveness, improve its mobility and promote energy conservation.

Manufacturing activity in the New York region expanded in December to the highest level in seven months, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Thursday.

Consumer confidence rose this month to a six-month high, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index released Friday.

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed by 1.6% in October, shrinking to its lowest level of the year, the Commerce Department said Friday.

Federal regulators have accepted a petition from several trade organizations who have complained that fluctuating federal hazardous materials safety permit requirements are causing some safe motor carriers to loose their eligibility and even cease operations.

The North Carolina State Senate has killed a proposal to cap the state’s 35-cent tax on gasoline and diesel, which is about to rise sharply, by voting to end its session.

Of course, concerns persist about electronic onboard recorders (“FMCSA Drops Its 2012 Electronic Log Rule Aimed at Carriers With Major HOS Offenses,” 11-21, p. 3). EOBRs are unconstitutional and should be outlawed.

U.S. manufacturing activity jumped in November, showing continued expansion for a 28th consecutive month, the Institute for Supply Management said Thursday.

Economic activity rose at a “slow to moderate pace” in October and November while freight volumes were mixed, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.