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HomeMy WebLinkAbout122024 - County Road Connection _ December 2024ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. The latest news, changes, announcements and insights from CRAB this month <https://images.e2ma.net/images/spacer.gif> <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/5noqrwc> <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/lgpqrwc> A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR.... While elsewhere things slow down for the holidays, December starts with a bang for the Legislature. With elections in the rearview mirror, the frenzy of leadership elections, committee assignments, pre-filing bills and work sessions begins. With the delivery of the Governor's budget mid-month, the stage seems set for the coming session. During the Legislature’s annual assembly days, both the House and Senate convened to receive updates on transportation and, to be blunt, the updates were not merry nor bright. As we shared this fall, the transportation budget is in rough shape and revenue forecasts continue their decline <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/18pqrwc> . Project costs are up and road fatalities are increasing. On Tuesday, Governor Inslee released his last transportation budget <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/h1qqrwc> as Governor. The budget is mixed for us, but our grant programs and agency remain fully funded. Unfortunately, while our request to help counties and cities with bridge load ratings <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/xtrqrwc> was funded, the budget proposes doing so using Rural Arterial Program (RAP) and County Arterial Preservation Program (CAPP) funds. We will be asking the Legislature to fund this effort with new dollars. Additionally, despite widespread support, our local road grant program decision package <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/dmsqrwc> was not funded – a disappointing way to start 2025 Legislative Session. While the outgoing governor did not choose to fund it, that does not mean it is dead. Far from it. Representative Sam Low has introduced legislation to establish such a program at CRAB and the next step will be to get a hearing on the bill in the transportation committee. We will know more about when that will happen in the new year. As we close out 2024 I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. We all deserve a little rest and relaxation before 2025 – a year I know will be a busy one. Jane Wall, Executive Director <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/tetqrwc> Fuel Tax Refunds are Coming to the Counties in January – Here’s Why and What You Should Know Earlier this year, our agency reached out and engaged the State Treasurer’s Office regarding the calculation methodology for Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax (MVFT) funds that are distributed to the counties for the maintenance, preservation, improvement and administration of the county road system. Of specific concern was an amount being withheld from the counties and being deposited.. Read the Article <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/pzuqrwc> <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/5rvqrwc> Millions in Federal Funding at Risk for Washington State Unless Cities and Counties Can Hit a Tight Deadline In May 2022, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a major update to the national bridge inspection standards, titled the Specifications for a National Bridge Inventory (SNBI). The 354-page document provides the specifications for reporting data for bridges in the National Bridge Inventory database, which... Find Out More <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/1cxqrwc> <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/h5xqrwc> Early Bird Registration for the 2025 Road Design Conference is now open! We will be gathering at Campbell's Resort in Chelan on Wednesday, March 19th through Friday, March 21st for a full line up of educational speakers, industry trends and networking opportunities. Registration for attendees will be limited to the first 100 registrants from both counties and cities... Register Now <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/dqzqrwc> <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/ti0qrwc> A Change in Forecasting Reveals the Fuel Tax Cliff is Approaching More Rapidly Than Expected While counties are in the full swing of construction season, the County Road Administration Board is hard at work every summer to provide counties with accurate estimates of the funds they can anticipate the following calendar year. It is a comprehensive process that.... See the Numbers <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/p31qrwc> MARK YOUR CALENDAR JANUARY 29-30 Board Meeting <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/5v2qrwc> CRAB Office | Olympia, WA FEBRUARY 13 & 14 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Legislative Authority & the County Road Department Training <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/lo3qrwc> Virtual Training MARCH 19-21 Road Design Conference <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/1g4qrwc> REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Campbells Resort | Chelan, WA APRIL 23-24 APWA Spring Conference <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/h94qrwc> Tacoma Convention Center | Tacoma, WA MAY 1-2 Board Meeting <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/x15qrwc> CRAB Office | Olympia, WA Other noteworthy information.... Apprentice Utilization Requirements for Public Works Contracts <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/du6qrwc>   Governor-elect Bob Ferguson’s early approach to fixing WA’s $10 billion budget hole <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/tm7qrwc>   New Washington state law aiming to protect 'vulnerable road users' takes effect Jan. 1 <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/9e8qrwc> SUBSCRIBE <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/5z9qrwc> Sign up to receive the newsletters you want or manage your subscription. © 2024 County Road Administration Board. All Rights Reserved. <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/lsarrwc> <https://t.e2ma.net/click/96teqm/lghk51mb/1kbrrwc> Manage <https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/1978786/1959379/752680403/106170682835/?s=wCVDcq3wC9O1ObPQN_aW0SLM3Xn7soEMO9ZWCDosaH8> your preferences | Opt Out <https://t.e2ma.net/optout/96teqm/ lghk51mb?s=4zc73D6Z0pHgpc2U4vrf1_dKMK5niDpv-oJh_vkwk94> using TrueRemove™ Got this as a forward? 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