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When the initial concept of the North American Free Trade Agreement was reviewed in the early 1980s, the Canadian government immediately took a position against it.

“We’re not ready.” That simple litany echoes among academics who follow the North American Free Trade Agreement, when addressing the issue of opening the U.S. to large-scale operations by Mexican trucks.

Not since 1996, when a series of telephone threats were made against petrochemical plants along the Houston ship channel, have pilots from the Texas National Guard flown their jet fighters in round-the-clock combat patrols circling the city of Houston.

When Layne Morrison meets with new clients for Casual Driver, her driver leasing firm, they are usually expecting a man. Morrison says it’s because of her first name: “It’s unusual and a bit misleading..

Terry Brown is no stranger to 18-hour days or anything else about the trucking business, for that matter. Now owner of Allied Drivers, a Houston-based driver staffing company, the 22-year veteran driver claims she learned how to count wrench sizes before she learned how to count to 10.

Here’s the scenario: A trucking company wants to hire drivers in predominantly Hispanic towns along the Mexican border.

If the North American Free Trade Agreement had created a true common market, like the one in Europe, problems about insuring Mexican and U.S. motor carriers to operate as foreigners in each other’s market probably could be resolved fairly easily, in the opinion of a Texas underwriter with experience in both countries.

A new industry-driven certification and incentives program for moving companies in Texas has the possibility of growing into a national program.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Bush administration’s announcement that it will allow Mexican trucks to haul goods throughout the United States was met with little fanfare along the Texas border last week. In fact, the consensus across the state is “business as usual” for the foreseeable future and beyond.

AUSTIN, Texas — The state of Texas was expected to officially enter the railroad business last week when it was scheduled to become owner of South Orient Railroad.