Outlook remains pessimistic for many small businesses

NEW YORK >> Don’t look for a small-business boom in 2016.

Companies in some industries and in certain parts of the U.S. might have a strong year, but overall, small businesses can expect a continuation of the slow, uneven growth they experienced in 2015.

Surveys show owners generally have lowered expectations for their companies in 2016. A survey taken in November by Wells Fargo & Co. found 70 percent of owners expect their companies’ financial situation to be good in 12 months, down from 74 percent in a survey during the summer.

Autonomous vehicles enter federal regulatory fast lane

DETROIT >> The federal government wants to get autonomous vehicles on the road more quickly and says it will fast-track policies and possibly even waive regulations to do it.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Thursday that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will spend the next six months developing guidance for automakers on what’s expected of self-driving prototype cars and what sort of tests should be used to make sure they are safe.