Your June 2 Pre-Trip: White House threatens to veto 2016 transportation bill

June 2, 2015

Here are five things worth knowing today: 1. The White House on June 1 threatened to veto a 2016 transportation funding bill, citing concerns over funding levels and several trucking provisions, Transport Topics reports. One of the provisions that concerns several Democrats and the White House is the reinstatement of the 34-hour restart rule, which would require that a study address safety benefits and driver fatigue, health and work schedules, according to Transport Topics. The bill also would permit the use of 33-foot trailers. 2. Rhode Island truckers and legislators are going head to head over Gov. Gina Raimondo’s commercial truck toll proposal that could generate $4.8 billion in funds to fix the state’s roads and bridges, WPRO 630 says. The Rhode Island Trucking Association plans to hold a press conference condemning the proposed legislation to toll commercial trucking on state highways. The conference, according to the report, will be held just hours before the House Finance Committee is set to hold hearings on the bill.3. Twenty-nine state and federal highways and bridges in Oklahoma remain closed after last month’s heavy rains flooded parts of the state, according to NewsOK. Transportation officials said the southeastern part of the state was hit the hardest, and some highways and bridges are still covered by water. “As flood waters recede, inspectors will assess damage,” according to the report. “Infrastructure will be repaired through federal and state funds. Costs will likely be high.” NewsOK has more. 4. Connecticut’s House and Senate have agreed to fund the historic transportation agenda, WTNH reports. The budget, which was proposed earlier this year, includes a $2.8 billion increase for infrastructure over the next five years, according to WTNH. “Connecticut will spend $613 million for highways, $281 million for bridges, $101 million for bicycle and pedestrian trails, and $43 million – or a 25% expansion – of bus service,” according to the report. 5. South Carolina’s House budget-writing committee proposed on Monday to put $150 million in additional revenue toward fixing roads and $70 million toward a road to the future Volvo plant in Berkeley County, according to the Times and Democrat. According to the report, that would leave the state borrowing $50 million to fund an interchange off I-26 and a road to the future plant. “That’s part of more than $200 million in state incentives Gov. Nikki Haley and Commerce officials promised in securing Volvo’s first North American plant,” The Times and Democrat said.

About the Author

Cristina Commendatore

Cristina Commendatore was previously the Editor-in-chief of FleetOwner magazine. She reported on the transportation industry since 2015, covering topics such as business operational challenges, driver and technician shortages, truck safety, and new vehicle technologies. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.