WASHINGTON — Two of the country’s top transportation leaders reaffirmed their opposition to raising fuel taxes to keep highway programs funded for several years, a setback for proponents of increasing the user fees, including trucking industry leaders.
March 19, 2015GovernmentBusinessTechnology
Senators Seek Permitting Reforms For Rail Projects
Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) have introduced the Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network (TRAIN) Act, which they said would streamline the environmental permitting process for rail projects.
March 19, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Trucking’s Share of Nafta Trade Rose 4.5% Last Year
Trucks carried the largest amount of trade among North American Free Trade Partners last year, with trucking trade rising 4.5% from 2013 to $715 billion, the Department of Transportation reported.
March 18, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Legislation Aims to Boost Transportation Funds at Local Level
Local governments would be able to access more federal funds under a bipartisan bill unveiled this week in the Senate.
March 18, 2015Government
State Officials Plead for Continued Federal Role in Transportation
WASHINGTON — State and local officials made the case before a House panel for federal transportation funding and against any notion the states alone can maintain the nation’s road and transit system.
March 17, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafety
House Budget Expands States’ Say on Transportation
House Republicans’ budget blueprint unveiled March 17 would enhance states’ control over critical highway projects, and it would establish a reserve fund to develop proposals for bringing surface-transportation legislation to passage.
March 17, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafety
Arkansas Lawmakers Approve Liability Protection for Truckers
Arkansas is poised to become the 42nd state to pass a law protecting truckers from having to sign contracts that require them to assume all liability for accidents regardless of who is to blame.
March 17, 2015Government
Sen. John Thune to Introduce CSA Reform Legislation Soon
WASHINGTON — Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) soon will unveil legislation that would reform the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, the senator told Transport Topics.
March 17, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafety
Senate Confirms Carlos Monje Jr. for Assistant Secretary of Transportation
The U.S. Senate voted 94-0 on March 16 to approve the nomination of Carlos Monje Jr. be assistant secretary of Transportation for Policy.
March 17, 2015GovernmentBusinessTechnologyAutonomous
FMCSA Offers App for Truck Safety Information
Safety performance information on trucking and bus companies is available through a new smart phone application authorized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
March 17, 2015