Posts by William Wallace
Will The Senate Pass Its Health Care Bill?
(Source: fivethirtyeight.com, June 23, 2017) By Nate Silver Filed under Congress We’ve seen this movie before. Republicans, after a secretive drafting process, finally unveil a health care bill. But the initial reaction is tepid, with both moderate and conservative Republicans expressing “concerns” and demanding changes to the bill. That’s what happened when the House Republican…
Read MoreArkansas governor signs BLET-backed bill to protect train crews
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, June 21 —Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson recently signed into law a BLET-backed bill that imposes harsher penalties on criminals who target railroad workers. Act 955 is designed “to protect freight rail employees and public transit employees by enhancing the penalties of certain criminal offenses.” Introduced as Arkansas House Bill 2116 on March 6,…
Read MorePrivate freight line hopes to end Chicago gridlock
(Source: Railway-Technology.com, June 26, 2017) CHICAGO — As North America’s single largest rail hub, Chicago handles roughly 25% of nationwide rail traffic between the country’s east and west coasts, as well as to the southern US and Canada. Approximately 500 freight trains operate in the Chicago area every day, carrying a third of all American…
Read MoreNevada governor vetoes two-person crew bill
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, June 16 — On June 8, 2017, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval vetoed a railroad safety bill that would have mandated a minimum crew size for freight trains operating in the state. The measure (S.B. 427) would have restored to Nevada law a provision for minimum freight train crew size, insuring that no freight…
Read MorePipeline congestion causes spike in crude by rail shipments
(Source: Houston Chronicle, June 12, 2017) HOUSTON — Crude coming from the Canadian oil sands faces pipeline congestion on its way to the Gulf Coast, forcing production companies to opt for more expensive rail transport instead. Full story: Houston Chronicle Tuesday, June 13, 2017
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