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Archive of Transportation on Wednesday May 07, 2008
NY Senate expected to OK gas tax holiday
With gasoline prices nearing $4 a gallon, the Senate planned to pass a bill today that would suspend the state's gasoline taxes for the summer months. But the Republican-backed measure faces opposition in the Assembly and reservations in the governor's office. Read More
Four repeal efforts target Dirigo taxes, driver's license rules
Maine election officials said Tuesday that they've accepted applications from four groups challenging a pair of recently enacted laws, but the four could morph into two as the campaigns develop. Read More
House speaker alleges improper use of plane trips by governor
In Kansas politics, the state plane used by the governor can be an asset or a liability. House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, recently accused Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of getting people to vote against the coal-fired power project by flying them to Kansas University basketball games. Read More
Winter schedule proposed for Alaska ferry system
The Alaska Marine Highway System has released draft schedules for next fall, winter and spring. Read More
Natural gas tax bill dies
A bill that would have raised taxes on natural gas wells drilled off the Alabama coast has died in the Alabama Legislature. Read More
Coalition pushing tax for roads
Business and community groups took the first steps Tuesday to persuade Arizonans to raise the taxes on virtually everything they buy to build new roads. Read More
Council OKs tougher tailpipe-emissions rules
New cars and trucks sold in Arizona would have to meet stricter, California-style standards for tailpipe emissions by the 2012 model year under a new rule approved Tuesday by an executive oversight panel. Read More
Group seeks to get sales-tax hike for transportation on ballot
Supporters of a transportation-tax package filed language Tuesday for the November election, marking the kickoff of what is likely to be an intensive campaign to collect signatures needed to get the measure before voters. Read More
Senate GOP leader rules out tax hikes to balance budget
Saying the ailing economy is putting enough stress on taxpayers, Senate Republican leader Dave Cogdill said Tuesday that Republicans will oppose any tax hikes to bridge California's budget deficit. Cogdill suggested the deficit, which he pegged at $16 billion for the fiscal year beginning July 1, could be wiped out through service cuts and tapping into the reserves of voter-approved initiatives intended for early childhood education, mental health services and transportation. Read More
Senate cuts fee for Gold Star plates
A bill that eliminates the fee for the Gold Star Family license plate is heading to Gov. M. Jodi Rell's desk. Read More
Bill on open alcohol containers in vehicles seems dead
In the state Senate, it seemed like a no-brainer last week that a driver in the year 2008 should not be able to bolt down the highway with an open bottle of whiskey in his hand. To the surprise of many, that's still legal in Connecticut. Read More
Highway safety agency begins summer initiatives
The state Office of Highway Safety is kicking off its third annual summer initiatives to reduced traffic deaths and highway injuries. Read More
Crist plane in emergency landing after controls malfunction
The state plane carrying Gov. Charlie Crist had to make a U-turn over Georgia and return to Tallahassee on Tuesday after three controls malfunctioned. Read More
Superferry awaits signal from Kauai
The Hawaii Superferry, which hasn't sailed to Kaua'i since harbor protesters blocked its arrival in August, intends to resume trips there only if the community signals it wants the service restored, the company's new chief executive said yesterday. Read More
IDOT move could cost $1 million
Relocating the Illinois Department of Transportation?s Division of Traffic Safety to southern Illinois could cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars in moving expenses, according to estimates provided to The State Journal-Register on Tuesday. Read More
Suburban schools benefit from lawmakers' lapse
Suburban schools will be able to avoid stricter driver education laws because Illinois lawmakers didn't get their work done on time. Read More
Lawmakers brainstorm on construction funds
House Democrats sized up a broad menu of ways to pay for a potential multibillion-dollar statewide construction program Tuesday, coming to no conclusions but considering options that include income tax increases, gambling expansion and leasing the lottery. Read More
Lake County chief judge to resign post
Lake County Chief Judge David Hall said Tuesday he will resign from his leadership post in the wake of his arrest on driving under the influence charges. Read More
State urged to end ethics case
A hearing officer has recommended dismissing an ethics charge against former state Highway Commissioner Marc Williams. Read More
Panel votes to repeal helmet law
Less than one week into Motorcycle Safety Month, a House committee has voted to lift the law requiring motorcycle riders to wear safety helmets. Read More
Panel seeks shift in helmet requirement
Louisiana's requirement that motorcyclists wear protective helmets should be repealed for riders 18 and older, a divided House committee decided Tuesday. Read More
Legislative notebook -- Cell phone use continues to dominate debate
Bans on certain types of cell phone usage while driving won Senate approval Tuesday, as lawmakers continue to debate an array of bills that would restrict cell phone use by drivers. Read More
Phone measures aim to enhance traffic safety
A divided Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would outlaw text-messaging while driving and would ban young drivers from using cell phones unless they're hands-free devices. Read More
Inspector license policies revised
The Maryland State Police have established policies for the revocation of vehicle inspectors' licenses after questions arose over allowing a Prince George's County station to resume operations despite accusations that it had approved vehicles that mechanics had not inspected. Read More
Law targets drunken bar patrons
LANSING, Mich. -- When customers get intoxicated at Pomorski's Tavern, Warren Smith wants to keep them safe. Read More
Senator says he faces unwelcome choice on road safety rules
A top senator claimed Tuesday that he was being forced to choose between three safety features as he prepared a transportation policy bill to send to Gov. Tim Pawlenty -- an account the governor called "not helpful." Read More
Traffic safety provision bill heads to House floor
After a trip down a rocky political road on Tuesday, a bill is going to the House floor today that would impose nighttime driving restrictions on teens, stiffen seat-belt law enforcement and require parents to belt kids into car booster seats until they reach age 8. Read More
Higher fees for Missouri motor vehicle and driver records anger insurance companies
A new fee structure for Missouri motor vehicle and driver records has insurance companies enraged and a lawmaker promising action in the waning days of the legislative session. Read More
Governor pushes his post-budget agenda
Gov. Jon Corzine said yesterday the state must move quickly after the budget is passed to reignite discussion on a plan to fund transportation infrastructure needs. Read More
Nevada law would raise state gas tax if federal tax is cut
LAS VEGAS - Motorists in Nevada might not see a savings at the pump if Congress approves a gasoline tax holiday touted by two presidential candidates, a state official said. Read More
Senate honors oldest OHP trooper
Ed Vandergriff, among the first members of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, was honored by the Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday as the oldest retired state trooper. He is 97. Read More
State economy is healthy but not for the poor
The state's economy continues to be robust, but low- and middle-income households in the state aren't faring as well because of stagnant wages and rising fuel, food and health care costs, a study released Tuesday shows. Read More
Second pipeline still tentative
No paperwork has been filed for a proposed "Keystone Phase II" oil pipeline through western South Dakota, a state official says, but representatives from TransCanada Corp. have talked with at least some legislators and have plans to meet with local governments. Read More
Bill would require all DUI offenders to serve 48 hours
Legislation that would require all individuals convicted of drunken driving to serve at least 48 hours in jail passed the House. Read More
Tennessee legislative briefs - Scholarship bill faces Senate vote
The Republican version of a sweeping lottery scholarships proposal is on its way to a Senate floor vote. Read More
State Supreme Court to decide if Draper residents have say on TRAX route
The Utah Supreme Court will decide whether to give Draper residents a voice on where light rail should rush through their city. Read More
Exemption to 40-year-old billboard ban in Vt. worries some
MONTPELIER, Vt. - For 40 years, it's been the guardian of the state's pastoral landscapes, keeping interstates and back roads clear of outdoor advertising. Read More
Warnings on transportation fund raid
Representatives of road building business and labor groups, along with a number of road construction workers, rallied at the Capitol Tuesday to oppose the deployment of a budget gimmick. Read More
State to propose inspecting all new permanent thrill rides
The state Department of Commerce will propose requiring all new permanent thrill rides to be inspected before opening to the public, which officials say is consistent with current practice but not mandated under existing regulations. Read More
FAA awards grants to 7 W.Va. airports
Seven West Virginia airports are getting federal funds to upgrade runways and make other improvements. Read More
Silver Alert helps rescue lost seniors
When an elderly person with dementia is lost, seven states can trigger a Silver Alert to let the community know. Proposals in Congress would expand the successful missing persons program to all 50 states. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in. Read More
Legislators prod Congress on Medicaid, Real ID
As some states tumble into what they fear is a recession, state lawmakers from across the country are pushing Congress for relief from impending federal rules that would force states to pick up more Medicaid costs and spend billions to make drivers’ licenses more secure. Read More
With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden. Read More |
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