August 6, 2014: Transportation tax rejected, Amtrak crash blame, driver shortage and boutique trucking

Here’s a list of the top trucking-related news now trending on the Internet:

• A proposed sales tax increase dedicated to transportation needs goes down to defeat in Missouri: http://www.kansascity.com/news/government-politics/article1101536.html
• A new poll finds Americans are divided on how to fund transportation needs: http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/214310-poll-public-cant-agree-on-how-to-fund-transportation-projects
• Blame is exchanged for a 2011 crash involving an Amtrak train and tractor-trailer: http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2014/08/04/jury-picked-opening-statements-amtrak-trail-tuesday/13600063/
• Truck drivers are still in short supply as this story indicates: http://jacksonville.com/business/columnists/2014-08-05/story/trucking-industry-looks-fill-growing-need-truck-drivers
• Here’s an article about how women are being recruited more heavily for vacant truck driving positions: http://www.supplychaindigital.com/logistics/3562/Shortage-Pushes-Trucking-to-Accommodate-Smaller-Drivers
• Some trucking firms are finding profits by being “boutique” providers of specialized services: http://www.jacksonnewspapers.com/article/20140804/NEWS/140809959
• A trucking company owner pleads guilty to running a cargo theft ring: http://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/features/2014/08/04/336094.htm
• GM is setting a low-cost position for its new mid-size pickups: http://online.wsj.com/articles/gm-sets-price-for-chevy-colorado-truck-below-toyotas-tacoma-1407268816
• Logisticians are one group of workers with a very bright future: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ups-630746-company-southern.html
• XPO Logistics is trimming jobs at one of the firms it recently bought out: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2014/08/04/xpo-cuts-jobs-at-former-pacer-headquarters-in.html
• A Russian crime ring apparently stole 1.2 billion password/user name combinations along with 500 million e-mail addresses. Could trucking companies potentially find themselves at risk from these hackers? Go here for the story: http://www.wkyc.com/story/tech/2014/08/06/alert-12-billion-passwords-stolen/13659649/