New Trucking Bills

12/28/2017

Three new bills are being sent to the Oval Office for signature. Two hope to combat human trafficking within the trucking world while the third seeks to help veterans move into the trucking world.
The No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act puts into effect a ban on operating commercial vehicles if you have been convicted of any felony involving human trafficking using a commercial vehicle. This would be a lifetime ban.
The Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act creates the position of “Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinator” within the US Department of Transportation. It would also increase efforts to educate about human trafficking reporting from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The final bill, Jobs for Our Heroes Act, would streamline the process of active or retired military personnel might obtain a commercial trucker license. The hope is to help military personnel who are trying to transition back into civilian life by giving the easier access to well paying jobs.
Truckers Against Trafficking endorsed the creation of the Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinator but did not endorse the lifetime ban bill. They believe the bill is too specific and shouldn’t just single out one profession.
You can read more below...

https://www.gobytrucknews.com/3-bills-trump-signature/123

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Forbes' Best Countries For Business

12/21/2017

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Forbes has released its list of “Best Countries for Business.” Taking a look at multiple factors such as corruption, innovation or technology, Forbes ranked which countries created the best environment for businesses.
    Coming in at the number one country for business is the United Kingdom. After the controversial Brexit vote, experts had doubts that the UK would place so high. However, Its strong financial sector along with trade ties with the rest of Europe kept the economy strong. The UK also has the strongest growing economy in the G7. While the UK’s future looks bright, the looming shadow of Brexit still hangs over the country as no one knows how it will affect the UK’s trade deals with the rest of Europe.
    Moving down the list to the number six spot is Hong Kong. Hong Kong is unique because of its economy's freedoms of trade. There are no tariffs on imported goods, little regulation and only four goods are subject to excise duties. Hong Kong has also seen a surge in tourism doubling visitor numbers from 2001 to 2014. Holding it back is the lack of natural resources and food Hong Kong has access to. Most of these must be imported from surrounding countries.
    The final one I want to touch on is The United States. This year the US placed twelfth on the list. While we have the largest and most technologically advanced economy in the world, other countries are showing better growth rates. China has nearly tripled the US economies growth rate. The US also faces many challenges within its boarders including underfunded and outdated infrastructure, recovery from one of the worst recessions in history, and a growing wealth gap. While the US used to be a powerhouse post World War Two, there are many new challenges the country must adapt to in order to keep it seat.
    If you want to read the full list you can follow the link below.

https://www.forbes.com/best-countries-for-business/list/#tab:overall

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Hartsfield-Jackson Blackout

12/19/2017

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Over the weekend Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport had a major power outage lasting almost 11 hours. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed estimated that 30,000 people were affected by the power outage.
What caused such a drastic delay at America’s busiest airport? An electrical fire in an underground tunnel damaged the main and backup power systems.
“Fire shouldn't paralyze the country's busiest airport for half the day,” said Joseph Schwieterman, public policy professor at DePaul University. “ It may take a couple hours to bring alternative power to the airport, but if the airport infrastructure itself was undamaged, it shouldn't have been nearly as painful."
Schwieterman attributes this to airlines not planning for disasters.
You can read more about the blackout and the airline industry in the link below…
http://money.cnn.com/2017/12/18/news/atlanta-hartsfield-jackson-power-outage-cause/index.html

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Contradictory Statements in Detroit Bribery Case

12/14/2017

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Detroit Police officer Kenyatta Myers has been caught making two contradictory statements in ties to a towing bribery scandal facing the city.
  “I am the person that is in charge of the police authorized towers,” said Myers in 2016. Myers continuously denied anyone else being involved in the process.
However, this October Myers in on record saying he “worked under the direction of DC Washington.”
Former Deputy Chief Washington has been indicted and accused of bribery. She was allegedly steering towing contracts to specific companies.
  When city lawyer heard Myers’ second testimony they had them withdrawn and stricken from the court record.
  To learn more about the case and the implications of these statements you can read more here…

https://www.wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/dpd-officers-conflicting-testimony-raises-questions-in-towing-scandal?page=2

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Puerto Rico's Debt Problem

12/12/2017

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Even before Hurricane Irma and Maria, Puerto Rico was facing a economic crisis. The small island owes more than $73 billion with the majority of the stake owned by Americans.
President Trump has stated the debt must be wiped out, though White House staff have since distanced themselves from this statement.
“There is no capacity for any debt payments in the coming decade, and the entire debt stock will need to be massively written-down to make the island’s recovery feasible”, according to the Washington Post.
Amid the humanitarian crisis of rebuilding from the devastating hurricanes and the largest U.S. municipal bankruptcy, Puerto Rico has a long road ahead in order to stabilize its economy.
You can read more here...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dont-expect-debt-payments-from-puerto-rico-any-time-soon/2017/12/11/ae11cd44-de98-11e7-89e8-edec16379010_story.html?utm_term=.010e9441feb9

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Zero Emission Cargo Ship

12/7/2017

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    Last month China officially put the first all electric cargo ship to work hauling coal along the Pearl River.
  The ship reaches a top speed of 8 miles per hour and a maximum travel distance of 50 miles. Designers hope this is the first step towards a zero emission fleet.
  “As the ship is fully electric powered, it poses no threats to the environment,” said general manager of Hangzhou Modern Ship Design & Research Co, Huang Jialin. “The technology will soon be likely...used in passenger or engineering ships.”
  While there have been other electric vessels this is the first one made to transport cargo.
  If you would like to read more you can follow the link below…

https://sciencealert.com/world-first-completely-electric-cargo-ship-china

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Senator Fighting Overpriced Aquatic Tows

12/5/2017

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A new Florida bill hoping to prevent overcharging on tow and salvage of boats has passed its first committee this Monday. SB 664 requires that before a salvage or tow takes place, companies must provide an invoice of costs and obtain consent to tow.
  “The actions of a limited number of these companies amount to a form of modern-day piracy” said Florida State Senator Dana Young.
    Industry representatives brought up concerns about red tape getting in the way during life threatening situations.
  Young is willing to work on amending the bill with these concerns in mind but is still committed to helping boaters who have been “misinformed and mislead” by these companies.
You can read more here…

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/251034-senate-advances-modern-day-piracy-bill-requiring-marine-towing-estimates

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MCB Blog

New Trucking Bills

Forbes' Best Countries For Business

Hartsfield-Jackson Blackout

Contradictory Statements in Detroit Bribery Case

Puerto Rico's Debt Problem

Zero Emission Cargo Ship

Senator Fighting Overpriced Aquatic Tows

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