A plan approved by the Rhode Island Senate on June 23 to charge tolls to large commercial trucks that includes some tax rebates and grants for mostly local truckers is 鈥渄iscriminatory, sloppy and lacks information,鈥 according to head of the state鈥檚 trucking association.
June 24, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Senate Sends Fast-Track Free Trade Bill to Obama
The Senate sent President Obama legislation granting fast-track trade-negotiation authority, a hard-fought victory intended to aid completion of an agreement with Pacific nations that is a top second-term priority.
June 24, 2015GovernmentBusiness
EPW Panel Advances 6-Year Highway Bill to Full Senate
WASHINGTON聽鈥 A Senate panel on June 24 easily approved a six-year highway policy bill, advancing the measure to the full Senate. Lawmakers would need to act quickly on the bill as federal funding authority for transportation programs expires at the end of July.
June 24, 2015Government
Consumers Help GDP Contract Less Than Last Estimated
The world鈥檚 largest economy shrank in the first quarter, just not as much as previously estimated, with the help of a bigger gain in consumer spending.
June 24, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafety
Senate Panel Advances Fiscal 鈥16 Transportation Bill With ELD, Speed Limiter Requirements
WASHINGTON 鈥 A Senate subcommittee easily advanced on June 23 a fiscal 2016 funding bill that would require the Department of Transportation to complete its final rule on electronic logging devices and its proposed rule on speed limiters.
June 23, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Senate Advances Trade Promotion Authority Bill
The U.S. Senate approved legislation June 23 that would give President Obama enhanced authority to complete free-trade deals, including a landmark agreement with Pacific nations.
June 23, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Senators Unveil 6-Year Transportation Policy Bill
The leaders of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee introduced a six-year transportation policy measure June 23 that would pave the way for improvements along freight corridors and highway infrastructure projects.
June 23, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Radioactive Material Drivers Granted Rest Break Exemption
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted the U.S. Department of Energy an exemption allowing its drivers who haul security-sensitive radioactive material to forgo an hours of service 30-minute rest break requirement.
June 23, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Senate Confirms Daniel Elliott to Surface Transportation Board Reappointment
The Senate on June 22 easily confirmed the nomination of Daniel Elliott for a reappointment on the Surface Transportation Board.
June 22, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Senate Panel to Mark Up 6-Year Highway Bill June 24
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has scheduled a markup on June 24 of legislation that would reauthorize highway programs.
June 22, 2015