Here is a look at what is happening in the world of transportation this morning:
- The House of Representatives passed massive “omnibus” federal government budget bill containing a controversial rider suspending the 34-hour restart rule last night, reports the Seattle Times, with the Senate now likely to pass it as well.
- Strong retail sales in November provide more evidence that the U.S. economy is “firing on all cylinders,” according to the Boston Globe; sales that will help spur freight demand.
- Federal government rules now in the works aim to cut methane emissions from the oil and natural gas industry, notes National Geographic, with some companies in that sector starting to make cuts on their own.
- Two motor carriers are suing to throw out the ban on trucks recently instituted by Morgantown, West VA, reports The West Virginia Record.
- Cities are struggling to develop “fair” food truck regulations, according to the USA Today.
- A small town tacks on a property tax in order to buy a new $430,000 fire truck, notes the Tribune Review.
- Heavy seas nearly knocked two trucks off a Maine ferry, reports the Portland Press Herald, but the Coast Guard saved the day.
- The Wal-Mart truck driver who crashed into Tracy Morgan’s limo earlier this year is being overwhelmed by big legal bills, notes the New York Daily News.
- St. Louis business and civic leaders are trying to figure out ways to handle higher freight volumes, reports the St. Louis Dispatch.
- A guest editorial in Crosscut magazine suggests ways state governments can boost transportation funding