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HomeMy WebLinkAbout121324 - 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. TNLI Emerging program, State Legislative Update, From the Other Washington, Transit Jobs, and Transit News Vol. 9, Issue 40 December 13, 2024 View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/4d8ad627cb07/the-wsta-weekly-17986745?e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/547fd40c-aaff-400e-270e-fce1bef58fce.png> <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/fe3813e0-182a-647e-cce6-3c7ebae8a2e8.png> ________________________________ Applications Now Open <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=ae193835f3&e=7ccb4f03e2> WSTA is excited to open applications for the 2025 Transits Next Leader Institute Emerging program. WSTA is rebranding our entry level leadership program as "emerging" as we have grown our leadership program to include; TNLI Advanced, TNLI Executive and TNLI Lead. 2025 TNLI Emerging will accept 25 fellows for the upcoming class. Applications are now open and will be due January 31, 2025. We ask applications to read the syllabus completely as well as review all program events, including the 3 in-person sessions. We ask that fellows be sure they can attend and that their supervisors allow the time necessary to attend and complete the program. Learn more by visiting the TNLI Program Website <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=f425587b93&e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/91751ad1-3691-6b98-7ed8-6b868e46fb19.png> At their last meeting, the WSTA Board of Directors approved the Association's 2025 Legislative Priorities. The Association's priorities outline the focused approach that WSTA will take during the 2025 legislative session. With the failure of I-2117, and with its failure the protection of $3 billion dollars over 16 years for transit, the Association will focus its efforts on defending those funds from being used for other programs. Further, we continue our efforts to transition our fleets to zero-emission, be it electrification or hydrogen, but we do so knowing that policy and legislation should not extend beyond the financial and technological means for the membership. Transit has and always will keep safety and security a top priority for our communities and employees and with it WSTA supports efforts to secure state funds to help with that priority. Finally, WSTA monitors all legislation and when necessary will oppose or support policies and legislation depending on its impact to the safe, effective and efficient delivery of public transit to our communities. Washignton State Transit Association 2025 Legislative Priorities ________________________________ Preserve, Maintain & Increase Public Transit Investments Incentivize Transition to Zero-Emission Fleets Support Safety and Security for Transit Employees and Customers Protect the Effective and Efficient Delivery of Public Transit To view in detail CLICK HERE <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=b2ce2d7b49&e=7ccb4f03e2> With Questions regarding WSTA legislative priorities or advocacy efforts, please contact WSTA Executive Director, Justin D. Leighton: justin@watransit.com <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/92c7b85f-59ef-784f-7669-38170c8ec978.png> Congress Finalizing the "Christmas Tree" Continuing Resolution As of press time, lawmakers continue bicameral negotiations to finalize the parameters of what will be included in the Continuing Resolution (CR), which will need to be passed before the current stopgap expires on Friday, December 20, 2024. Congressional leaders indicate that the next CR is expected to last until mid-March 2025. Accompanying items remain under discussion. Those provisions may include a one-year extension of the Farm Bill, a package of some healthcare tax extenders, and the long-term reauthorizations of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Older Americans Act (OAA). See below for the latest legislative developments regarding those latter two reauthorizations. Other outstanding issues include the disaster aid title and legislation to allow for the redevelopment of RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. We understand that a Coast Guard reauthorization is not expected to be included. Our team should have more clarity on the path forward early next week as the deliberations are expected to wrap up over the weekend. House GOP Conference Recommends Committee Chairs Earlier this week, the House Republican Steering Committee convened to select Members of Congress to serve as Committee leaders in the 119th Session of Congress. We have included a list <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=83731be09f&e=7ccb4f03e2> of lawmakers that have been recommended by the panel below. Please note that these members will need to be formally approved by the full House Republican conference next week. House GOP rules dictate that Chairs may not serve more than three consecutive terms on a committee. Recommended by the Steering Committee: * House Committee on Agriculture: Pennsylvania Congressman Glenn Thompson * House Committee on Appropriations: Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole * House Committee on Armed Services: Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers * House Committee on the Budget: Texas Congressman Jodey Arrington * House Committee on Education and the Workforce: Michigan Congressman Tim Walberg * House Committee on Energy and Commerce: Kentucky Congressman Brett Guthrie * House Committee on Financial Services: Arkansas Congressman French Hill * House Committee on Foreign Affairs: Florida Congressman Brian Mast * House Committee on Homeland Security: Tennessee Congressman Mark Green * House Committee on the Judiciary: Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan * House Committee on Natural Resources: Arkansas Congressman Bruce Westerman * House Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Kentucky Congressman James Comer * House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Texas Congressman Brian Babin * House Committee on Small Business: Texas Congressman Roger Williams * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Missouri Congressman Sam Graves * House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Illinois Congressman Mike BostHouse Committee on Ways and Means: Missouri Congressman Jason Smith We will be following up with a full list of House and Senate Committee Chairs and Ranking Members for the 119th Congress once final selections are approved. Transportation Presidential Transition * Politico reports <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=b7d9ef7663&e=7ccb4f03e2> that Secretary of Transportation nominee Sean Duffy has hired new advisers to support him as he begins meeting with key Senators on Capitol Hill relevant to his path to confirmation. Those individuals include Pete Meachum, his former Chief of Staff, as well as Kyle Plotkin, former Chief of Staff to Senator Josh Hawley and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. As we have reported in our Presidential Transition Update, Congressman Duffy represented the Seventh District of Wisconsin in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019 and served as a co-host of a television program on Fox Business called The Bottom Line. We will continue to keep you updated on Congressman Duffy’s nomination and personnel announcements at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the incoming Administration. Permitting Supreme Court * The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&i d=ca70edd14d&e=7ccb4f03e2> . The case pertains to an appellate court decision last year vacating portions of the biological opinion and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Uinta Basin Railway Project in Utah due to its potential negative environmental impacts. The high court examined how far into the future agencies must consider the environmental impacts of a project when making permitting decisions. During oral arguments, justices appeared initially critical of a narrow test by federal agencies to define the “reasonably foreseeable” impacts of proposed projects. The Court’s final decision on the matter will likely hold important implications for the future of federal environmental reviews of infrastructure projects moving forward. <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/ea436c8d-6255-4572-b705-ffd9193ee521.png> Transit Job of the Week ________________________________ Senior Accountant Washington State Transit Insurance Pool This exempt, non-supervisory position serves as the Senior Accountant and will manage complex data, funds, and processes. The position will perform a variety of professional level accounting duties that support the finance and accounting operations of the Pool. The Senior Accountant will utilize professional expertise to assist with all aspects of data management, collection, and analysis for usage in underwriting, risk management and claims management. Work is performed independently requiring the exercise of discretion and sound judgement. The position is supervised by the Deputy Director. <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=12a2f094eb&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=00cfdf6766&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=a00eb5c01a&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=5497496523&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=ec90540444&e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/fb82d603-27ab-431a-ac10-5225f4a43f6c.png> * Link Light Rail Smashes Ridership Record in October <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=88880c0399&e=7ccb4f03e2> . The Urbanist * ‘It seems so outrageous’: C-Tran board shocked at $21.8M per year light rail budget staff unveils at meeting <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=1a2f0 5a3d6&e=7ccb4f03e2> . The Columbian (pdf included) * ‘It’s time to take a victory lap’: C-Tran plans for growth with $93M budget for 2025 <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=e32f3b4e47&e=7ccb4f03e2> . The Columbian (pdf included) * Whidbey affected by bus driver shortage <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=7c702e620b&e=7ccb4f03e2> . Whidbey News-Times (pdf included, Island Transit p.3-4) * Community Transit approves budget with more service <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=fca92ab721&e=7ccb4f03e2> . Everett Herald (pdf included) * Northeast Spokane gets a representative on the Transit Authority as the city council shuffles board appointments <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=d 986bff5fb&e=7ccb4f03e2> . The Spokesman-Review (pdf included) * Opinion: State Must Reform Sound Transit to Keep Expansion on Track <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=5406de749d&e=7ccb4f03e2> . The Urbanist ________________________________ * Passenger Transport <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=7cea0007b2&e=7ccb4f03e2> Latest Issue <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6 c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=aa9bf3c40e&e=7ccb4f03e2> * Metro Magazine News <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=c50ab0933c&e=7ccb4f03e2> * National RTAP <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=6fafc77b49&e=7ccb4f03e2> * Transit Talent <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=f36bad27b6&e=7ccb4f03e2> * Voices of Public Transportation <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=48bce21d3d&e=7ccb4f03e2> * T4America <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=69d4670484&e=7ccb4f03e2> * CTAA News <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=6160e7bd3d&e=7ccb4f03e2> * Shared-Use Mobility Center <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=975d7d5622&e=7ccb4f03e2> ________________________________ <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=a443f76ee7&e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=4d4deb7bdd&e=7ccb4f03e2> <mailto:justin@watransit.com> <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=9b1045c4c4&e=7ccb4f03e2> Copyright © WSTA, 2016, All rights reserved. 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