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Weekly Trek: July 17, 2015

Weekly Trek

July 17, 2015

Top Political News

  • Iran and a group of six nations led by the United States reached a historic accord on Tuesday to significantly limit Tehran’s nuclear ability for more than a decade in return for lifting international oil and financial sanctions. NYT
  • The U.S. budget deficit remained near its lowest level in seven years in June amid a brightening economic outlook that has boosted revenues, the Treasury Department said Monday. WSJ
  • Scott Walker, announced on Monday that he was running for president, pledging conservative agenda. NYT
  • Photos: The Most Unusual 2016 Presidential Candidate Swag. National Journal
  • 8 nuggets from the candidates’ fundraising reports released on Wednesday. Politico

Transportation

  • The House on Wednesday passed a short-term extension of federal highway spending, putting pressure on Senate Republicans to commit to a plan to continue funding for the transportation program before it expires at the end of the month. Wash Post
  • Top senators from both parties sounded increasingly confident on Thursday that they could negotiate a long-term highway bill, just a day after the House passed the latest in a series of short-term patches. The Hill
  • Crude oil train derails in rural northeastern Montana. AP
  • Washington Governor Inslee signs $16 billion transportation package. Seattle Times
  • The Clearest Explanation Yet for Why Millennials Are Driving Less. CityLab
  • A state-by-state look at transportation initiatives. Fleetowner

 

Energy & Natural Resources

 

  • Oregon’s timber harvest remained above a key benchmark for the second straight year even though the overall figure declined. Portland Biz Journal
  • States take aim at power-plant rules. WSJ
  • Business groups sue over Obama water rule. The Hill
  • Senators seek changes to EPA coal ash rule. The Hill

 

Labor

 

  • Employee or Independent Contractor? DOL
  • S. Weighs In on Debate Over How to Classify Workers. WSJ
  • United States Supreme Court Confirms ERISA Fiduciary’s Continuing Duty to Monitor Investments. JD Supra
  • Obamacare’s ‘Cadillac Tax’ is an important part of the plan so don’t mess with it. Wash Post

 

Foreign Affairs, Trade, & Defense

 

  • Senate-passed legislation intended to improve the Pentagon’s troubled acquisition system may end up having the opposite effect, according to a growing number of experts. Roll Call
  • Ted Cruz & Co. threaten war over Ex-Im Bank. Wash Post
  • A fight between Republicans and the White House over defense spending is expected to come to a head over the next few weeks, as Congress advances a defense bill the president has threatened to veto. The Hill
  • Iran deal: What you need to know. The Hill
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