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HomeMy WebLinkAbout110224 The WSTA WeeklyALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. 2025 WSTA Events and Meetings Committee Season is Here, From the Other Washington, Transit Jobs, and Transit News Vol. 9, Issue 35 Noevember 02, 2024 View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/5ad72bea8b9c/the-wsta-weekly-17985915?e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/547fd40c-aaff-400e-270e-fce1bef58fce.png> <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/50548edf-1ff3-5717-6e82-afa8ac3c15ee.png> ________________________________ The 2025 Draft WSTA Committee and Events Calendar is live! CLICK HERE <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=f05daba288&e=7ccb4f03e2> to download and print as 11x17 ________________________________ <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/55f2f42d-3c39-5dca-5cd8-e299f696759a.png> <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/c4c3d40b-30fe-0fb7-cfe7-0ce126e29d99.png> <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/27544fb0-86cb-4eb4-a6fb-8958be87599c.png> e future. The WSTA Fall Committee Season is up and running. Don't miss out on meeting with your peers, discussing best practices and current events, and developing networks to utilize in th WSTA HR Roundtable Committee November 6 & 7 Tacoma, WA LEARN MORE <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=e018057e3b&e=7ccb4f03e2> WSTA 4th Quarter Board of Directors November 14 & 15 Spokane, WA LEARN MORE <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=9638a0dc20&e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/92c7b85f-59ef-784f-7669-38170c8ec978.png> Congressional Election Outlook Tight margins could swing the balance of power in Congress in the upcoming elections taking place this Tuesday, November 5th. With most attention focused on the presidential election, the victor’s ability to advance legislative proposals will be determined by whether or not their party controls one or both chambers of Congress. It is worth noting that each Commander-in-Chief elected over the past three decades since President Bill Clinton was inaugurated in their first term with their party also controlling the House and Senate. Unity between the Executive and Legislative Branches would empower the 47th President and the controlling party to enact sweeping legislation and advance their domestic and foreign policy agendas, while a divided government will complicate lawmakers’ ability to pass bills that could be enacted into law with the President’s signature. Next year, Congress will need to address expiring authorizations, particularly expiring tax provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) and other tax extenders. The tax policy debate will likely consume a lot of energy and bandwidth during the 119th Session of Congress, which convenes in January. Lawmakers may also need to any urgent business that goes unfinished in the lame duck session of this 118th Session of Congress, including authorizations set to expire at the end of calendar year (CY) 2024 if Congress does not act, including the Farm Bill and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Congress is also due to pursue reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2018. Lawmakers will eventually shift focus to preparations for the next reauthorization of the surface transportation bill before the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, expires at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2026 with the potential insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund on the horizon. If former President Donald Trump is elected with a Republican “trifecta” including GOP majorities in the House and Senate, he could pursue an extension and expansion of tax cuts included in the 2017 TCJA and new ideas such as removing the cap on state and local tax deduction and exempting tips. The debt ceiling limit suspicion ends on January 1, 2025, so conversations focused on the deficit and spending could shape the contours of the tax debate and force some mindfulness in those negotiations. We would expect that President Trump and Republican lawmakers would likely seek to advance immigration reform with tougher restrictions and deportation efforts. Intra-party disagreements may impede President Trump’s ability to enact all of his agenda. He has indicated that he would pursue implementation of tariffs on foreign goods through Executive Actions citing national security interests if he lacks Congressional support. A Republican Congress would likely be less inclined to continue sending the current levels of aid to some foreign allies, such as Ukraine. If Vice President Kamala Harris is elected with both a Democratic House and Senate, she could easily advance some components of her economic agenda given the fact that budget provisions require only a simple majority of 51 votes to advance in the Senate. Democrats are unlikely to garner a filibuster-proof majority of 60 in the Senate, so it would remain to be seen whether or not Senate Democratic leadership would be willing to get rid of the filibuster to advance other policy objectives, such as restoration of women’s reproductive rights and access to abortion. Other controversial issues that Democrats might address could include statehood for the District of Columbia and/or Puerto Rico. We have provided a quick breakdown of competitive races in both chambers below based on recent polling for your consideration on Tuesday. U.S. House of Representatives The most recent update <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=632a046759&e=7ccb4f03e2> from the Cook Political Report (CPR) considers 43 competitive House of Representatives races. CPR considers 22 races toss-ups. Republicans currently hold a narrow three-seat majority with 220 members in the House, while Democrats currently have 212 members in the minority. There are three vacancies. U.S. Senate The composition of the Senate currently includes 49 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and three Independents who generally caucus with Democrats in the Senate, giving them a 51 vote majority. There are 34 Senate seats up for grabs in the 2024 cycle this Tuesday, including 23 Democratic and Independent seats and 11 Republican seats. Economy * The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=efd028df04&e=7ccb4f03e2> the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) advance for the third quarter of 2024 signaling that the U.S. economy continues growing at a healthy pace. The estimate shows that GDP increased at an annual rate of 2.8 percent amid a surge in consumer spending, exports, and federal government spending. * The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=0a00af5881&e=7ccb4f03e2> that the U.S. added only 12,000 jobs to the economy in October 2024. Meanwhile, unemployment remained stagnant at 4.1 percent. Federal Transit Administration * The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=2c3bb44c9d&e=7ccb4f03e2> $10.5 million worth of awards from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning. Eleven projects <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a836 1&id=80a54c66d8&e=7ccb4f03e2> in ten states will receive funding from the agency to support comprehensive and site-specific TOD planning for new fixed guideway and core capacity improvement projects. In the FY 2024 round, FTA prioritized the selection of projects that included affordable housing components in areas with high incidence rates of homelessness. * FTA finalized <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=76d982c310&e=7ccb4f03e2> a regulation <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a 1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=a260b90355&e=7ccb4f03e2> to strengthen rail transit roadway worker protection (RWP). Under the rule, rail transit agencies (RTAs) would be required to adopt and implement RWP programs within one year to improve track worker safety with program elements such as job safety briefings and lone worker protection and report regularly on their progress to State Safety Oversight agencies (SSOAs). The regulation will become effective on December 2, 2024. FTA will host a webinar <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2e f2a8361&id=f996ef438a&e=7ccb4f03e2> on November 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Office of the Secretary * The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=e87bd94625&e=7ccb4f03e2> $11.99 million worth of awards through the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). The agency will allocate funding for projects to enhance local air service in 14 communities in 14 states. * DOT invites small business leaders to travel to Washington to participate in its second annual Service-Disabled Veteran Downed Small Business (SDVOSB) event on November 14, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The in-person session will feature remarks from Secretary Pete Buttigieg, panels and convenings focused on business opportunities with DOT, best practices in federal contracting, and other interactive sessions. Registration is available through the following webpage <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2 ef2a8361&id=b54e8f70e1&e=7ccb4f03e2> . <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/ea436c8d-6255-4572-b705-ffd9193ee521.png> Transit Job of the Week ________________________________ Human Resources Manager Island Transit Plans and directs human resources activities and functions and provides direction, leadership and supervision to the department staff and assigns work and schedules, sets priorities, and evaluates performance. This position is held responsible and accountable for providing strategic planning, direction, goals and objectives in developing departmental policy, budgets, operation and staffing. Position reports to the Executive Director and is based in Coupeville, WA. <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=2e2bff753f&e=7ccb4f03e2> ________________________________ ________________________________ WSTA Jobs Board: WSTA offers a comprehensive clearinghouse for transit jobs across the state. Use our website to see the latest job postings. <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=09861e0490&e=7ccb4f03e2> If you are a transit agency and have an opening - please use the submit button on the website. Attention Transit Vendors Please sign up for the WSTA Vendor Email Distribution List to be the first to know. <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=5c9e105b7a&e=7ccb4f03e2> *If you are not a vendor please do not sign up <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/1877cd28-850f-4d18-987c-7fcdc524d617.png> <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/16fd6fee-3218-4d70-b1fe-2056df0f1434.gif> WSTA pays an annual membership to the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC), which allows our Transit Agency members access to their services. Check out what is new with MRSC. Available for WSTA Transit Members: Ask MRSC - Ask MRSC Archives <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=e1c373e979&e=7ccb4f03e2> ________________________________ Ask Transit WSTA's partn <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/d4f5e03c-25b5-4812-8415-e6065dfea42a.png> er, the Washington State Transit Insurance Pool (WSTIP), provides an "Ask Transit" tool, which allows agency employees to ask a question, and staff will work to research that question and respond back. . Click Here to Ask Transit <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=1bac0ae02e&e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/fb82d603-27ab-431a-ac10-5225f4a43f6c.png> * Sound Transit Completes Longest Bridge in Light Rail System <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=35aec16bed&e=7ccb4f03e2> . Railway Track & Structures * An extended interview with Terri Mestas, Sound Transit megaproject delivery chief <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=610fa29fac&e=7ccb4f03e2> . Seattle Transit Blog * Light rail gets a slow-ride test on Mercer Island <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=a01d3f6c9b&e=7ccb4f03e2> . Seattle Times (pdf included) * Island transit names director <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=7dab01b94a&e=7ccb4f03e2> . Whidbey News-Times (pdf included) * Swift Blue Improvements <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=b952fcc885&e=7ccb4f03e2> . Seattle Transit Blog * That ‘emergency’ near Port of Tacoma today? It was just a training exercise <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=774353b5af&e=7ccb4f03e2> . Tacoma News Tribune via Yahoo ________________________________ * Passenger Transport <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=81b6719283&e=7ccb4f03e2> Latest Issue <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6 c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=05c1647e86&e=7ccb4f03e2> * Metro Magazine News <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=d459fd4fca&e=7ccb4f03e2> * National RTAP <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=32322a1706&e=7ccb4f03e2> * Transit Talent <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=a659704928&e=7ccb4f03e2> * Voices of Public Transportation <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=92e9c09bb2&e=7ccb4f03e2> * T4America <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=b6db88a664&e=7ccb4f03e2> * CTAA News <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=7c1826643d&e=7ccb4f03e2> * Shared-Use Mobility Center <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=6b621f2d90&e=7ccb4f03e2> ________________________________ <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=a87fe074e1&e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=dadb3967ab&e=7ccb4f03e2> <mailto:justin@watransit.com> <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=29e8e7690c&e=7ccb4f03e2> Copyright © WSTA, 2016, All rights reserved. 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