PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Before they authorized a statewide network of truck tolls earlier this year, Rhode Island lawmakers told the local trucking industry that a financial relief package to help deal with the cost of the new tolls would soon follow.
May 6, 2016Government
Illinois Gas Tax 'Lockbox' Constitutional Amendment to Appear on Nov. 8 Ballot
Voters will get a chance to weigh in on a proposed change to the Illinois Constitution that would prevent cash-strapped state government from raiding funds intended to be used on transportation projects.
May 6, 2016Government
Lawmakers Urge FMCSA Chief to Delay Safety Fitness Determination Rulemaking
A group of U.S. House lawmakers are urging the nation’s top trucking regulator to delay a rulemaking on a safety fitness determination proposal.
May 5, 2016GovernmentBusiness
ASCE Study to Assess Deteriorating Infrastructure's Impact on Economy
The American Society of Civil Engineers on May 10 plans to unveil a study highlighting the impact that deteriorating infrastructure has on the economy.
May 5, 2016Government
Connecticut Legislature Going Overtime to Approve Budget
Knowing that they wouldn’t be able to approve a budget before the midnight May 4 deadline despite reaching a tentative, $19.75 billion agreement with Gov. Dannel Malloy the previous day, Connecticut lawmakers voted to schedule special sessions to do so.
May 5, 2016GovernmentBusiness
FMCSA Seeks Public Input on Vision Waiver Requests
Federal trucking regulators on May 2 announced they are seeking public input on the applications of 21 drivers with vision impairments who are requesting waivers to drive commercial trucks.
May 4, 2016Government
Service Industries Gauge Climbs to Four-Month High
Service companies expanded in April at the fastest pace in four months, signaling the U.S. economy is firming up after a weak start to the year.
May 4, 2016Government
Sen. Deb Fischer Criticizes FMCSA’s Regulatory Process
The chairwoman of the subcommittee on trucking issues in the U.S. Senate criticized the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on May 2 for its safety performance scoring program and the manner in which the agency crafts its regulations.
May 3, 2016Government
Portland, Ore., to Consider Truck-Only Tax
The City Council in Portland, Oregon, will consider a four-year, heavy-vehicle use tax when it meets May 4, with a vote likely to come the following week. The tax would add 2.8% to the tax bills of trucking firms that have a Portland business license. Trucks already pay a weight-mile tax in Oregon, which doesn’t have a diesel fuel tax.Â
May 2, 2016Government
Alabama Won’t Raise Fuel Taxes After All
Less than three weeks after seeming poised to approve a fuel-tax increase for the first time since 1992, Alabama has joined Hawaii, Indiana, Mississippi and West Virginia and did not do so during its legislative session this year.
May 2, 2016