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WASHINGTON — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro said she is committed to launching the agency’s new truck safety rating system in July, although she expects there will be problems at the start.

Senate Democrats expect to pass an unemployment benefits bill soon that includes a provision retroactively reinstating a biodiesel tax credit through the end of the year, according to a spokeswoman for Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

Ryder System said Monday it has signed a joint venture partnership with Cargo Services Far East Limited, an Asia-based logistics provider specializing in export consolidation services.

Consumer personal spending rose 0.5 in January, marking the fourth straight increase, the Commerce Department said Monday.

A proposed 5% biodiesel mandate has died in the Iowa state legislature, the Fort Dodge Messenger reported.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is set to allow states to collect fees for the Unified Carrier Registration program, despite the fact the agency has yet to finalize what the level and structure of the fees will be for 2010.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region showed expansion in February, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Friday.

The U.S. economy expanded at a 5.9% annual rate in the fourth quarter, higher than originally reported, the Commerce Department said Friday.

U.S. consumer confidence fell in February, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.