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HomeMy WebLinkAbout110924 - 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. Election Night Recap, From the Other Washington, Plan your calendar for 2025, Transit Jobs, and Transit News Vol. 9, Issue 37 November 09, 2024 View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/3bdd7cc96c4b/the-wsta-weekly-17986049?e=850008f825> <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/547fd40c-aaff-400e-270e-fce1bef58fce.png> Election Update: By Mike Shaw - WSTA Lobbyist 11/08/2024 ________________________________ As of this writing, more than 500,000 ballots remain to be processed across Washington state following the 2024 general election. While several races are still too close to call, we can be certain of the following outcomes: * Former President Donald Trump is poised for another term. * U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell will serve another six-year term. * Every major statewide office will be filled by a Democrat. Specifically, the following individuals are expected to win statewide offices: * Bob Ferguson will be the next Washington State Governor. * Nick Brown will be the next Attorney General. * State Senator Patty Kuderer will become the new Insurance Commissioner. * King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove will become the new Commissioner of Public Lands. The remaining statewide offices have been retained by incumbents, all of whom are Democrats. The 2024 election also included four ballot measures. Currently, three are failing—including Initiative 2117, which seeks to repeal the Climate Commitment Act. However, Initiative 2066, which relates to natural gas, is passing. This initiative would require utilities to continue providing natural gas service and ban incentives for electrification. It currently holds a slight lead of 51.4% to 48.5%. The other measures would have negatively impacted the state budget, which offers some relief to legislative budget writers. However, significant fiscal challenges remain for the legislature as it prepares for the 2025 session, which begins on January 13th. According to legislators familiar with the state's budget forecasts, Washington is facing a projected $3 billion deficit over the next four years. Additionally, the increasing K-12 caseloads are expected to add $4 billion in costs over the same period, while collective bargaining agreements could cost another $3 billion. There is also a potential $1 billion cost in early learning programs. This creates a projected general fund budget shortfall of around $11 billion over the next four years. The transportation budget also faces challenges, as gas tax revenue collections are down, and the cost of ongoing large projects is rising. As a result, the 2025 legislature will face a daunting budget challenge. This task is made even more difficult by the high turnover of legislative members—29 new House members were elected in 2022, and potentially another 20 in 2024. The State Senate has also seen numerous veteran members retire. Most Senate seats will be filled by former House members, who bring some experience to the job. Many of the new legislators have never had to navigate such tough fiscal issues, even during the pandemic. Moreover, it is unclear where Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson will land on proposed progressive tax policies, or what his spending priorities will be. Depending on the outcome of several remaining legislative races, both the House and Senate could have supermajorities (60%) of Democrats. One closely watched race is in the 10th Senate District, where Republican incumbent Ron Muzzall is facing a tight contest against Democrat Janet St. Clair. The 10th District covers Island County and parts of Skagit and Snohomish counties. Muzzall is performing well in Snohomish County, but St. Clair leads in Island and Skagit counties. All three counties still have thousands of ballots to count. Senate races in the 17th and 18th districts are similarly close. Both the 17th and 18th districts were previously held by retiring Republican senators. The outcomes of these open Senate seats remain too close to call at this point. Several House races are also undecided, though it appears House Democrats may pick up a seat in the 26th District, where a Republican incumbent retired. The 26th District will also see a new state senator, as current Democratic Senator Emily Randall was elected to Congress in Washington’s 6th District. Randall’s replacement will be appointed by the legislative authorities in Kitsap and Pierce counties, as the 26th District spans parts of both counties. Similarly, the King County Council will appoint a replacement for Senator Kuderer, who will resign to become Insurance Commissioner. Senator Karen Keiser of King County has announced plans to retire by the end of the year, meaning the King County Council will also need to fill her seat. Most congressional races are now largely decided, including as of Friday morning a closely watched race in Washington's 3rd District, where Democratic incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez held a slight lead over Republican challenger Joe Kent (a rematch of their 2022 race). In the 4th District, Republican incumbent Dan Newhouse is maintaining a slight lead over fellow Republican Jerrod Sessler. Both races are expected to remain unresolved until next week. <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/92c7b85f-59ef-784f-7669-38170c8ec978.png> President Trump’s Reelection Shapes Legislative Agenda Former and incoming President Donald J. Trump’s victory on Tuesday is already shaping the contours of the legislative agenda on Capitol Hill looking ahead in 2024 and 2025. Congressional leaders will be coordinating with President Trump and his advisors to determine how to most effectively sequence any urgent legislative matters in the final days of the 118th Session of Congress. Those considerations include how to reach an agreement on Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriations bills, when to address the debt ceiling, and how to advance the top legislative priorities of the incoming Trump-Vance Administration in the new year. As you likely know, the federal government is currently operating on a Continuing Resolution (CR) funding operations through December 20, 2024. A few influential figures in Trump’s orbit are encouraging lawmakers to come to a resolution on FY 2025 spending bills and the debt ceiling during the lame duck session that starts next week. The hope is to resolve any urgent and potentially controversial budget and appropriations issues, which could take up a lot of bandwidth, well ahead of President Trump’s Inauguration Day in January. House Speaker Mike Johnson has previously expressed interest in pursuing another short-term stopgap until March, indicating that he would be hesitant for his members to have to quickly review and then vote on a full-year omnibus agreement right before the holidays. However, some now hope that Speaker Johnson would seek to clear the decks for President Trump and Congressional Republicans to focus on advancing his top legislative priorities during his first 100 days back in the Oval Office. Nevertheless, it appears that the Speaker is inclined to stick with his intention of pushing forward another CR to fund government operations until the spring, then work toward an agreement on a full-year omnibus with a Republican president in the Oval Office in early 2025. Certainly, there would be obstacles to overcome in negotiations between Senate Democrats and House Republicans between now and December 20th. The spending bills advanced by the Senate Appropriations Committee under the bipartisan leadership of Chair Patty Murray and Ranking Member Susan Collins are $90 billion higher than those passed by their House counterparts. The House appropriations measures contain a number of policy riders considered to be “poison pills” to the current Democratic majority in the Senate. Waiting until the new session would afford Republicans an opportunity to pursue policies and spending cuts that would face opposition from Senate Democrats before the new year. Other items that may be taken up during the lame duck session include the annual defense authorization bill, the farm bill reauthorization or another short-term extension of it, and a disaster relief supplemental to provide critical resources to continue responding to natural disasters in the Southeast and elsewhere. Looking ahead to the 119th Session of Congress that will convene in early January with a known Republican majority in the Senate and potentially another in the House, Republican Congressional leaders will be eager to help President Trump make good on his campaign promises. House Republicans remain optimistic that they will maintain their narrow majority in the chamber. The remaining races indicate there is a good probability that the GOP will have that trifecta in place next year. Meanwhile, over in the Senate, Republicans will not reach the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster, thereby complicating their ability to pass legislation. We expect that Senate Republicans will be inclined to utilize the budget reconciliation process, which requires only a simple majority to pass legislation, to advance as much of their agenda as possible – to the extent that it is allowable through reconciliation. Lawmakers can only utilize reconciliation to advance legislation with policy provisions with budgetary impacts that are not considered to be “merely incidental.” The Senate Parliamentarian would undertake a review process known as the “Byrd Bath” to determine which provisions are germane or not in that regard. While budget negotiations would remain ongoing into the spring, should Congressional leaders opt for that timeline, we would expect that President Trump would be eager to act on a tax package as the successor to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which was one of his top legislative accomplishments of his first term. Tax reform could be passed through the reconciliation process, providing the 47th President with an opportunity to secure a popular, impactful victory in his first 100 days. Given the slim majorities that Republicans will have in the Senate and could secure in the House, it would still prove difficult to reach consensus. Incoming Senate Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina indicated that the budget reconciliation process could be utilized to advance some components of President Trump’s immigration policy, stating it would represent the “the best vehicle to jump start the economy and help secure the border.” The process would likely allow for lawmakers to provide appropriations in support of border security and enforcement, but it is doubtful that they could use it to make significant changes to asylum and parole requirements given the scrutiny that would be applied to comply with the late Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd’s rule. Observers expect that President Trump will seek to use executive actions to repeal Biden-era immigration policies, likely seeking reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy for asylum seekers and ending the “Keeping Families Together” initiative and the expansion of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for parole. President Trump is expected to apply pressure to punish any perceived “sanctuary cities,” which are local jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal agencies to facilitate the removal of undocumented persons detained in their jurisdiction. During the Trump-Pence Administration, localities were concerned with compliance with 8 USC § 1373(a), which is the federal statute that prohibits units of state and local governments from enacting laws or policies that limit communications with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding information involving the immigration or citizenship status of individuals. President Trump could ask for help from Congress to try to withhold or eliminate federal funding for municipalities that have policies that willfully violate that statute or potentially others. We will be sure to keep you up to date regarding any developments impacting the legislative agenda for the lame duck session or the next session of Congress. Please reach out if you have any questions. Transition Team President-elect Trump has enlisted two private-sector allies, Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, to lead his Transition Team. Mr. Lutnick, the Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, will oversee personnel, while Ms. McMahon will oversee policy. Mr. Lutnick has been at the helm of Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services firm, since 1991. He was responsible for managing the company’s recovery following the loss of 658 employees, including his brother, at their headquarters atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Ms. McMahon is the former head of the Small Business Administration (SBA), serving in that Cabinet-level role during President Trump’s first term. She has been central to policy planning with her think tank, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), which has drafted over 100 proposed executive actions for consideration. She has worked closely with former Trump Administration officials to prepare ideas for the potential second term. Ms. McMahon also lead the super PAC America First Action that supported President Trump as a candidate. She came to prominence leading World Wrestling Entertainment with her husband, Vince McMahon. Vice President-elect JD Vance will have an honorary role on the Transition Team. Other members include President Trump’s sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and former Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii. Donald Trump Jr. is expected to provide assistance in the staff selection process. Economy * On Thursday, the Federal Reserve issued <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=5274433fff&e=850008f825> a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement cutting interest rates by 0.25 percent and effectively lowering the benchmark interest rate between 4.5 percent and 4.75 percent. The adjustment follows the half-point cut issued in September and reflects the Federal Reserve’s cautious approach to balancing economic growth and controlling inflation. Infrastructure Policy in President Trump’s Second Term President-elect Donald Trump will return to the White House for his second term beginning in January with a potential governing “trifecta” across the Executive and Legislative Branches and a conservative majority serving on the Supreme Court. These developments will have vast implications for the near- and long-term future of infrastructure and environmental policy in the United States moving forward. Our team wanted to share some insights about potential considerations. We expect the incoming Trump-Vance Administration to begin work in earnest to try to repeal regulations governing emissions from the transportation sector that were promulgated by the Biden-Harris Administration. Within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), those rules may include the establishment of a national greenhouse gas (GHG) performance measure by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for vehicles developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The new Administration may also move to roll back other emissions regulations applicable to other sectors and industries enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). While the President-elect’s platform promised a repeal of the current Administration’s regulations related to the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs), the Trump-Vance Administration may prove to be more tolerant of or even continue to provide subsidies to advance EV deployment and infrastructure, given the support of Tesla CEO Elon Musk as a key ally throughout the President-elect’s campaign. Permitting reform will likely be a top priority to advance the Trump Administration’s goal of streamlining the development of domestic energy facilities with a heavier emphasis on oil and gas production. Bipartisan lawmakers have worked to draft legislative proposals in the House and Senate over the past year to streamline project permitting and could continue those efforts in the lame-duck session and into the 119th Congress. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) will play a leading role in the development of any new implementing regulations concerning the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Supreme Court will also weigh in on the scope of NEPA this term in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado, where justices will determine how far into the future agencies must consider the environmental impacts of a project when making permitting decisions. Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for December 10, 2024. Priorities for discretionary grant programs administered by DOT may shift toward providing more funding for highways, roads, and bridges and the development of rural infrastructure with an emphasis on promoting economic development and safety rather than climate resilience or equity. Federal agencies may once again explore the boundaries of federal cost sharing within statutory constraints. President-elect Trump has also indicated that his Administration could revisit the question of impoundment of appropriated funds for programs that may not align with its goals, informed by recent Supreme Court decisions that have further empowered the executive branch. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (PL 117-58) is set to expire at the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will oversee the development of the next surface transportation reauthorization, likely with a Republican Congress in the driver’s seat. Senate authorizing Committees will change hands from Democratic to Republican control. Media reports that newly-reelected Texas Senator Ted Cruz is expected to lead the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee that oversees rail policy; South Carolina Senator Tim Scott will serve as Chair of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee that handles public transportation policy; and West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito will helm the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with jurisdiction over highway policy. The leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the authorizing Committee in the House of Representatives, will be determined following a resolution on the composition of the lower chamber in the 119th Congress. It remains to be seen how Congressional leaders and the incoming Administration will address the looming insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and other policy issues. We anticipate Congressional scrutiny of the current historic levels of federal funding for public transportation as well as Amtrak and passenger rail in the discussions preparing for the next surface transportation reauthorization and in the development of annual appropriations legislation. Transit and rail stakeholders have begun to pursue a conciliatory approach with the incoming Administration in advance of these discussions. In a statement, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) expressed <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click? u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=9746edfbaf&e=850008f825> that the organization and its members “congratulate President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and look forward to working with their Administration to strengthen public transportation across America.” Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner also offered <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3 a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=95ef86a7b7&e=850008f825> that “Amtrak looks forward to working with the Trump administration and the new Congress next year as we continue our efforts to improve mobility between cities, towns and rural areas across the United States.” It remains to be seen how Republicans in the White House and on Capitol Hill will address any undisbursed investments or new clean energy tax incentives authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act (PL 117-169) into the next Administration. President-elect Trump has indicated that he would work to rescind unspent funding from the law that was enacted with solely Democratic support, but the volume of investment in Republican Congressional districts could change attitudes regarding reform or repeal efforts on Capitol Hill. For example, in a letter <https://watransit.us1 2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=c05f66d0fa&e=850008f825> sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson in August, a group of 16 Republican lawmakers offered that “prematurely repealing energy tax credits…would undermine private investments and stop development that is already ongoing.” We will be sure to keep you updated as the incoming Administration makes its priorities known regarding these issues. Please let us know if we can provide further detail on these topics or address any questions or concerns. Infrastructure Update November 8, 2024 Infrastructure Policy in President Trump’s Second Term President-elect Donald Trump will return to the White House for his second term beginning in January with a potential governing “trifecta” across the Executive and Legislative Branches and a conservative majority serving on the Supreme Court. These developments will have vast implications for the near- and long-term future of infrastructure and environmental policy in the United States moving forward. Our team wanted to share some insights about potential considerations. We expect the incoming Trump-Vance Administration to begin work in earnest to try to repeal regulations governing emissions from the transportation sector that were promulgated by the Biden-Harris Administration. Within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), those rules may include the establishment of a national greenhouse gas (GHG) performance measure by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for vehicles developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The new Administration may also move to roll back other emissions regulations applicable to other sectors and industries enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). While the President-elect’s platform promised a repeal of the current Administration’s regulations related to the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs), the Trump-Vance Administration may prove to be more tolerant of or even continue to provide subsidies to advance EV deployment and infrastructure, given the support of Tesla CEO Elon Musk as a key ally throughout the President-elect’s campaign. Permitting reform will likely be a top priority to advance the Trump Administration’s goal of streamlining the development of domestic energy facilities with a heavier emphasis on oil and gas production. Bipartisan lawmakers have worked to draft legislative proposals in the House and Senate over the past year to streamline project permitting and could continue those efforts in the lame-duck session and into the 119th Congress. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) will play a leading role in the development of any new implementing regulations concerning the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Supreme Court will also weigh in on the scope of NEPA this term in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado, where justices will determine how far into the future agencies must consider the environmental impacts of a project when making permitting decisions. Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for December 10, 2024. Priorities for discretionary grant programs administered by DOT may shift toward providing more funding for highways, roads, and bridges and the development of rural infrastructure with an emphasis on promoting economic development and safety rather than climate resilience or equity. Federal agencies may once again explore the boundaries of federal cost sharing within statutory constraints. President-elect Trump has also indicated that his Administration could revisit the question of impoundment of appropriated funds for programs that may not align with its goals, informed by recent Supreme Court decisions that have further empowered the executive branch. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (PL 117-58) is set to expire at the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will oversee the development of the next surface transportation reauthorization, likely with a Republican Congress in the driver’s seat. Senate authorizing Committees will change hands from Democratic to Republican control. Media reports that newly-reelected Texas Senator Ted Cruz is expected to lead the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee that oversees rail policy; South Carolina Senator Tim Scott will serve as Chair of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee that handles public transportation policy; and West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito will helm the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with jurisdiction over highway policy. The leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the authorizing Committee in the House of Representatives, will be determined following a resolution on the composition of the lower chamber in the 119th Congress. It remains to be seen how Congressional leaders and the incoming Administration will address the looming insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and other policy issues. We anticipate Congressional scrutiny of the current historic levels of federal funding for public transportation as well as Amtrak and passenger rail in the discussions preparing for the next surface transportation reauthorization and in the development of annual appropriations legislation. Transit and rail stakeholders have begun to pursue a conciliatory approach with the incoming Administration in advance of these discussions. In a statement, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) expressed <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click? u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=45c1c985ed&e=850008f825> that the organization and its members “congratulate President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and look forward to working with their Administration to strengthen public transportation across America.” Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner also offered <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3 a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=dba642af83&e=850008f825> that “Amtrak looks forward to working with the Trump administration and the new Congress next year as we continue our efforts to improve mobility between cities, towns and rural areas across the United States.” It remains to be seen how Republicans in the White House and on Capitol Hill will address any undisbursed investments or new clean energy tax incentives authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act (PL 117-169) into the next Administration. President-elect Trump has indicated that he would work to rescind unspent funding from the law that was enacted with solely Democratic support, but the volume of investment in Republican Congressional districts could change attitudes regarding reform or repeal efforts on Capitol Hill. For example, in a letter <https://watransit.us1 2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=ba5a177138&e=850008f825> sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson in August, a group of 16 Republican lawmakers offered that “prematurely repealing energy tax credits…would undermine private investments and stop development that is already ongoing.” We will be sure to keep you updated as the incoming Administration makes its priorities known regarding these issues. Please let us know if we can provide further detail on these topics or address any questions or concerns. Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary * On Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=3a4f05252 7&e=850008f825> for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to support regionally or locally significant surface transportation projects that advance the Administration’s strategic goals of safety, equity, climate and sustainability, and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation. DOT expects to award $1.5 billion in total program funding authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58), with the possibility of additional funding subject to annual appropriations made available by Congress. DOT will accept applications for Capital Grants and Planning Grants under the larger program. * There are two rounds of funding for the FY 2025 RAISE solicitation. Under Round 1, DOT will reserve a portion of authorized funding for projects that were Highly Rated but not selected for award under the FY 2024 NOFO, known as FY 2024 Projects of Merit, and found on the following list <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=dcdd8d4282&e= 850008f825> . Eligible project sponsors must reach out to the agency via email at RAISEgrants@dot.gov <mailto:RAISEgrants@dot.gov> by December 2, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) if they would like those projects to be considered for award under the reserved funding. Then, under Round 2 of the FY 2025 cycle, the agency will utilize a second portion of the authorized funding plus any additional forthcoming appropriations for new proposals as well as revised proposals not selected for Round 1 awards. The Round 2 application deadline is January 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. * See our grant memorandum <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=b15d848b01&e=850008f825> and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=eb9929323b&e=850008f825> on the program provided by DOT. The agency is holding a webinar series <https://watransit .us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=e180b52ded&e=850008f825> for prospective applicants with the next session <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c 3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=d5cbb4e61f&e=850008f825> on December 5, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). We ask that you share your interest in applying for a FY 2025 RAISE grant with us as soon as possible so that we may offer assistance to your team throughout the application process. Our team is happy to help request letters of support or review your proposals. Many Congressional offices require at least 3-4 weeks to process incoming requests for letters of support; therefore, we kindly ask for as much notice as possible if you are interested in applying to coordinate with your delegation. <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=fa5c3e5100&e=850008f825> 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/ea436c8d-6255-4572-b705-ffd9193ee521.png> Transit Job of the Week ________________________________ Director of Finance and IT Skagit Transit This role supervises Skagit Transit's comprehensive financial management, ensuring the financial integrity of the accounting system and accurate analytical reporting. The position manages budget development, financial risk systems, public records management, and administrative processes. It is responsible for assessing and managing financial and other liability risks, including property management risks. The role also oversees internal controls, monitors cash flow, evaluates and reports expenditures, and prepares financial and operational reports. The position supervises the Accounting Manager and ensures fiscal and administrative services comply with State and Federal laws, regulations, and requirements. The Director of Finance also manages grant funded projects accounting and oversees the annual audits, and the IT contractors. This position also serves as a member of the Agency’s management team and is integral to the achievement of Skagit Transit's strategic objectives. <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=d18ef28237&e=850008f825> ________________________________ ________________________________ 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=0584bf7128&e=850008f825> 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=947653a9f4&e=850008f825> *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=ec58f1cfa0&e=850008f825> ________________________________ 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=970341d69f&e=850008f825> <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/fb82d603-27ab-431a-ac10-5225f4a43f6c.png> * Boeing woes affect transit program <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=68540224c9&e=850008f825> . Whidbey News-Times (pdf included) * Why I Ride: Exploring Seattle with public transportation – a field trip success story <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=cd31d16aec&e=850008f825> ! 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