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HomeMy WebLinkAbout112324 - 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. 19 years!, From the Other Washington, Plan your calendar for 2025, Transit Jobs, and Transit News Vol. 9, Issue 38 November 23, 2024 View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/fb252c34c00c/the-wsta-weekly-17986347?e=850008f825> <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/547fd40c-aaff-400e-270e-fce1bef58fce.png> A Message From the Executive Director ________________________________ Celebrating 19 Years! <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/edaceefd-4efc-f5e0-b323-4d583d3ed29f.png> This week, I was honored to attend the Spokane Transit Board meeting to speak and present Spokane Transit's Chief Executive Officer, E. Susan Meyer, with her retiring WSTA Board plauge and resolution of appreciation. Susan Meyer announced her plans to retire at the end of this year after 19 years as CEO. And, as CEO, she has been one of WSTA's longest-serving Board members. During her time with WSTA, she served as an officer of our association for six years, including its President in 2012 and 2013. Since then, she has served on the Officer Nominations Committee, helping select the next generation of WSTA's leaders. Susan has served on numerous boards, commissions, committees, state study work groups, and many more roles, all representing not just Spokane Transit but the association too. As CEO, Spokane Transit experienced its highest ridership ever, and nearly 200 million riders have taken Spokane Transit since she started. She has managed the agency through the Great Recession and the Global COVID-19 Pandemic, led the agency through two successful ballot measures, and opened the first and only BRT system in eastern Washington, the CityLine, which is 100% electric. Susan was honored at the Washington State Public Transportation Conference this summer for her legacy in the industry. At its November 15 board meeting, the WSTA Board of Directors passed a Resolution of Appreciation in her honor. From a more personal perspective, Susan has been a mentor and guide since becoming the Exeuctive Director nearly 10 years ago. She is tough and a force to be reckoned with. I've certainly been on the short end of her red pen edits, but always in the name of improvement. I am a better professional because of Susan. She has always answered my call or responded to my email when I needed something. I will miss her, including when I quietly slipped her a diet Coke where she would sit at the Conference before going on stage to start our general sessions. Her leadership and dedication to our industry will be missed. On behalf of Public Transit in Washington State, thank you, and happy retirement, Susan. For a better, brighter future for all <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/96275218-1924-4dfd-a90c-fc4153a1ab38.jpg> Justin D. Leighton Executive Director Washington State Transit Association <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/92c7b85f-59ef-784f-7669-38170c8ec978.png> Direct Pay U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service * This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=ed00310fee&e=850008f825> final rules <https://watransit.us12 .list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=e18b8cb22c&e=850008f825> governing partnerships for the elective payment, also referred to as “direct pay,” provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169). As you likely know, entitles eligible for elective payment include state and local governments, special district governments including public school districts, tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations such as hospitals, institutions of higher education, and churches. The new rules provide clarity and enhance flexibility for eligible entities seeking to jointly invest in and co-own clean energy projects with other non-profit entities or for-profit entities, such as developers. According to a press release <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=007c5c0039&e=850008f825> from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the final regulations “make targeted modifications to existing partnership tax rules clarifying how co-owned clean energy projects can elect not to be treated as partnerships for tax purposes and providing such projects additional flexibility.” The agency explains that “by collectively electing out of partnership status, co-owners that are eligible for elective pay can take advantage of elective pay for the share of the project that they own, while co-owners that are not eligible for elective pay could use or take advantage of the transferability rules to transfer their share of the credits from the project.” The final rule will take effect on January 19, 2025. For more information, please see the White House Direct Pay webpage <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=74eb11b6f4&e=850008f825> and the IRS Elective Pay and Transferability webpage <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id= 1e30cd8c3c&e=850008f825> . We encourage all units of local government to review these resources to see if you may be able to benefit. Federal Transit Administration * The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a five-year extension <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=d6a8ee66a1&e=850008f825> of a partial general nonavailability waiver of Buy America requirements for vans and minivans used in vanpool programs and other public transportation services. The agency had issued a previous two-year waiver <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=524bfb2c5d&e=850008f825> in October 2022 and determined it would extend the waiver after concluding it was “unable to identify any manufacturer of non-Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible vans and minivans that fully complies with Buy America” requirements surrounding domestic content. The waiver applies to mass-produced, unmodified, and non-Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible vans and minivans with seating capacity for at least six adults (not including the driver). Its extension is intended to support FTA grantees in procuring commercially produced vans and minivans using FTA funds. The waiver extension took effect on Monday and will expire after five years or “upon publication of a recission notice if FTA determines that a fully Buy America-compliant vehicle has become available, whichever occurs first.” * FTA posted two videos highlighting changes to its Enhanced Mobility for Senior and Individuals with Disabilities Program Guidance <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c2 2fe2ef2a8361&id=112645e27c&e=850008f825> that incorporates policy provisions from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (PL 117-58). The first video <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u =6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=ca8f99a8ff&e=850008f825> provides a high-level overview of changes and a program overview, while the second video <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u= 6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=35969bbead&e=850008f825> outlines program administration and coordinated planning. The videos conclude a series <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c7 0c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=3dc72e7d49&e=850008f825> highlighting circulars recently updated by the agency, which also include the Award Management Requirements Circular <https://watransit.us12.list-m anage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=0c851b8a0f&e=850008f825> , Urbanized Areas Formula Grant Programs Guidance <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2 ef2a8361&id=48043ea00a&e=850008f825> , and Rural Areas Formula Grant Program Guidance <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=d038178d1b&e=850008f825> . House Democrats Hold Leadership Elections Earlier this week, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives voted to re-elect the current leadership triumvirate to their respective positions for the upcoming 119th Session of Congress. Lawmakers voted unanimously to re-elect Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York as their Leader along with Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar of California. All three ran unopposed in these closed-door elections. It is worth flagging that Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost became the first member of Gen Z to be elected to the House, and he now becomes the first of his generation elected to a leadership role. The House Democratic leadership team is listed in full below. * Democratic/Minority Leader: New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries * Minority Whip: Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark * Democratic Caucus Chair: California Congressman Pete Aguilar * Democratic Caucus Vice Chair: California Congressman Ted Lieu * Assistant Democratic Leader: Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse * Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chair: Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell * DPCC Co-Chair: Illinois Congresswoman Lauren Underwood * DPCC Co-Chair: Massachusetts Congresswoman Lori Trahan * DPCC Co-Chair: Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost * Caucus Leadership Representative: California Congressman Robert Garcia * Battleground Leadership Representative: Nevada Congresswoman Susie Lee In a statement <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=3e50cac9e4&e=850008f825> , Minority Leader Jeffries offered that House Democrats “are prepared to work hard to find bipartisan common ground with our Republican colleagues and the incoming administration on any issue whenever and wherever possible, but at the same period of time, we will push back against far-right extremism whenever necessary.” He also offered his hopes “that the incoming administration is prepared to join us in that effort to truly make the American dream available and accessible to everyone.” Senate Democrats Have Not Yet Scheduled Elections Senate Democrats have not yet scheduled their leadership elections, but that is likely to occur sometime in early December based on past precedent. It is unlikely to see a change in top two positions for Minority Leader and Minority Whip, but there will be an opening for the third ranking position with Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) retiring. * Minority Leader: New York Senator Chuck Schumer * Minority Whip: Illinois Senator Dick Durbin * Chair of Policy and Communications Committee: To be determined <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=b6b1be533c&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 ________________________________ Government Relations Manager Community Transit As Government Relations Manager, you will work under the direction of the Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer to manage Community Transit’s state and federal government relations program, leading development and implementation of agency strategies and representing the agency’s interests before elected officials and their staff. You will work closely with the agency’s contracted federal and state lobbyists. You will collaborate with the Public Affairs Program Manager, who leads local and regional government and community relations, and colleagues across the agency to obtain the expertise necessary to represent the agency’s policy, program, and financial objectives. You will advise the CEO, Chief of Staff, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors regarding legislative strategy and priorities. You will work with a broad array of external partners within and outside the transit industry to enlist support for the agency’s work, building and maintaining strategic relationships. You will also coordinate with the finance and grants team and departments across the agency to anticipate and secure state and federal investment and achieve legislative objectives. <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=f11c1a847d&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=bad42d6ed2&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=535b0db78a&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=d08feb0a75&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=36e002c418&e=850008f825> <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/fb82d603-27ab-431a-ac10-5225f4a43f6c.png> * Planting seeds for the future workforce <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=69ba50975f&e=850008f825> . Sound Transit’s The Platform * King County's $10.2B budget: E-buses, Harborview, housing <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=a37bd6cbf9&e=850008f825> . Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (pdf included) * King County Metro Testing Onboard Cameras to Cite Bus-Lane Violators <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=9211093f7d&e=850008f825> . The Urbanist * Spokane Transit Authority lays out its big transit dreams for Division and beyond in the Connect 2035 plan <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=8b749c5 476&e=850008f825> . Range Media * King County Extends Metro Public Restroom Pilot, Considers Longer-Term Plan <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=cacdc0dd49&e=850008f825> . The Urbanist ________________________________ * Passenger Transport <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=6b0f4ba8af&e=850008f825> Latest Issue <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6 c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=11f58225f3&e=850008f825> * Metro Magazine News <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=95ac22fbc2&e=850008f825> * National RTAP <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=f473e01f11&e=850008f825> * Transit Talent <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=5e3d95f9b1&e=850008f825> * Voices of Public Transportation <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=a34babeca5&e=850008f825> * T4America <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=263aa91fcb&e=850008f825> * CTAA News <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=0f5db17011&e=850008f825> * Shared-Use Mobility Center <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=f97e89410e&e=850008f825> ________________________________ <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=154a237527&e=850008f825> <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=756ac4656a&e=850008f825> <mailto:justin@watransit.com> <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=943fca18e3&e=850008f825> Copyright © WSTA, 2016, All rights reserved. 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