Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), a member of the influential House Budget Committee, has been calling for increasing the federal gas tax to fund large-scale transportation infrastructure projects for several years.
July 2, 2014GovernmentBusiness
Obama Calls on Congress to Address Highway Trust Fund Crisis
President Obama chided Congress July 1 for not addressing the crisis in the Highway Trust fund, saying that further inaction could close down highway projects and endanger tens of thousands of jobs.
July 1, 2014GovernmentBusinessSafety
Trust Fund Crisis Means States Receive Partial, Delayed Reimbursements
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has notified state transportation officials that as of Aug. 1 the federal government no longer will be making same-day payments to reimburse states for completed road work.
July 1, 2014GovernmentBusiness
Construction Spending Rises Little in May
Construction spending rose 0.1% in May, the Commerce Department reported July 1.
July 1, 2014GovernmentBusiness
Funds for States to Train Drivers Closer to Approval
After more than a decade of temporary extensions, the Workforce Development Act that funnels money to states to train job seekers, including truck drivers, is closer to Congressional approval.
June 30, 2014BusinessGovernmentFuelAutonomous
Scania Touts Fuel Savings of Dual Trailers
Swedish truck maker Scania AB said that by driving with two full-length trailers fuel consumption is reduced by up to 30%.
June 30, 2014BusinessGovernmentSafetyEquipment
Fleets Need Stricter Tire Maintenance Routines as Highway Conditions Worsen, Makers Say
With the federal and state governments hard-pressed to keep roadways in good shape, extra attention to tires during and between hauls is essential to maximizing their life span, manufacturers said.
June 30, 2014GovernmentBusiness
Senate Panel Drops Proposal to Increase Heavy-Truck Tax
Leaders of the Senate Finance Committee, in an effort to gain more Republican support, tweaked a highway spending bill on June 26 by removing a provision that would have imposed higher fees on heavy trucks.
June 30, 2014GovernmentBusiness
Police Organization Endorses Collins’ HOS Proposal
The National Fraternal Order of Police this week endorsed suspending a federal truck-safety regulator’s new hours-of-service rules, a proposal Senators are expected to take up before the August recess.
June 27, 2014Government
Obama Nominates Hart to Lead NTSB
President Obama on June 26 nominated Christopher Hart to be the next chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board.
June 26, 2014