Highway Bill
As part of a federal budget resolution, the U.S. Senate added an extension of surface transportation programs. The five-year statute for U.S. Dept. of Transportation authorities expires on September 30. The full House has yet to pass the highway bill, and several Senate committees have yet to act. The budget resolution would authorize and extend DOT programs through December 11.
Digital Signs
The Federal Communications Commission recently took action against a Denver, CO company for digital sign interference with cell phone operator T-Mobile. Digital signage on a commercial property near I-25 in the south Denver metro area disrupted T-Mobile carrier operations. The property owners were first given an opportunity to correct the interference but failed to do so promptly, which led to a violation notice and subsequent enforcement action.
NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched its annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, running digital advertising across multiple platforms to promote highway safety and reduce roadway fatalities. The campaign is scheduled through Labor Day, September 7th. The agency also unveiled a Sober Driving Pledge Tailgate Tour, which will travel to and advertise in major college towns throughout the fall football season.
Maryland Tax
The Maryland Tax Court struck down the state’s first-in-the-nation tax on digital online advertising. Despite repeated court challenges to the 2021 statute, the Maryland tax has served as a model for other states this year. Several state legislatures have now passed similar legislation, all trying to capture the large revenue derived from digital advertising on big tech platforms. The MD Tax Court held that the law violated the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act, the First Amendment, and other parts of the U.S. Constitution, and mandated refunds of the tax monies already collected.
State Leaders
Nearly one-third of state legislative leaders – state House speakers, state Senate presidents, and majority leaders – will leave office after this year. The high level of attrition among state lawmakers is due to retirement, defeat in primary elections, or running for other offices.
Politics
The Democratic National Committee announced three proposed cities for its 2028 presidential party convention. Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia are the proposed cities to host the major gathering of state and national party leaders.
Published: August 26, 2026