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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030125 - 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. Registation Now Open, State Legislative, Update, Tracking the EOs, Committee Registation, From the Other Washington, Transit Jobs, and Transit News Vol. 10, Issue 8 March 01, 2025 View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/4e330306537b/the-wsta-weekly-17988044?e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/547fd40c-aaff-400e-270e-fce1bef58fce.png> Registration Now Open <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/748a01cb-244b-48d0-0410-166b659324fb.png> Presented by: <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/8449fb45-c89e-403e-9f69-2b92d575cd39.jpg> WSTA is pleased to open registration for our annual Spring Maintenance Forum. We bring the SMF back to beautiful downtown Spokane, WA, at the popular Davenport Grand Hotel. WSTA and the entire Maintenace and Facilities Committee thank Spokane Transit for being an amazing host. Last year's event was the highest-attended event in WSTA history, with nearly 100 attendees and nearly 50 vendors. For vendors wishing to attend, please be sure to review our website and vendor packet for all your questions. <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=b04fc10129&e=7ccb4f03e2> ________________________________ <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/91751ad1-3691-6b98-7ed8-6b868e46fb19.png> Week 8 Legislative Update By Mike Shaw - WSTA Lobbyist ________________________________ Last week the policy committee cutoff laid waste to bills still lingering in their policy committee of origin, and this week the fiscal committee cutoff thinned the herd a bit more. Unless the bill is somehow necessary to implement the budget (NTIB), bills that failed to pass out of these committees are done for the session. Of the bills listed on my county tracking list, which casts a much larger net than the transit association list, over half the bills failed to make these deadlines. The transit association list was not as impacted because there were not a lot of transportation bills introduced this session. That may be due to the widely acknowledge transportation budget deficit, although the operating budget deficit did not appear to have the same effect as near records of bills were introduced, about 2,000. The operating budget deficit is looming larger as the Legislature moves from committee action to floor actions next week. On Thursday, Governor Ferguson held a press conference where he outlined nearly $4 billion in agency cuts, which is in addition to the $3 billion in cuts his predecessor, Governor Inslee, suggested. These combined $7 billion cuts are less than half of the $15 billion (over 4 years) deficit Governor Ferguson says faces the state. He said that figure includes passing the collective bargaining agreements that have been negotiated with state employees, but that news was tempered by Governor Ferguson’s proposal that state workers, except for WSP, corrections officers and other public safety employees, will be required to take a 1 day furlough once a month for the next two years. House and Senate Democratic leadership held their own press event on Tuesday, where they affirmed a $12 billion deficit over the next 4 years, their own budget exercises, and the enormity of the budget cuts facing them. The House Democratic Caucus has created a website <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=0e1e0853a8&e=7ccb4f03e2> that sets out what a “no revenue” budget would entail using Governor Inslee’s “book 1” budget, which wasn’t widely publicized. It includes about $8 billion in cuts. Senate Republican Budget lead, Sen. Chris Gildon, gave an interview <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=d558731397&e=7ccb4f03e2> stating that the budget crisis is exaggerated, and estimated the budget shortfall was just $6.7 billion for the next two biennium. He noted the discrepancy between that number and the $12 billion estimate is the $4 billion for state employees and other policy bills. This is the only time in my 32 years of working in Olympia that $6.7 billion is perceived as a relatively small deficit, which is not even budget dust given the $36.5 trillion federal deficit <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=c822d095f4&e=7ccb4f03e2> . The state transportation budget deficit is expected to be only $4 billion over the next six years. It’s all about perspective. There are no hearings to report upon as the House and Senate start the portion of session referred to as “floor action” when the full body of each chamber votes on bills that are then sent to the other chamber. They will do this until March 12th, after which they will begin hearings on the other chamber’s bills until April 2nd (policy committee deadline), and April 8th (fiscal committee deadline). Session is scheduled to end April 27th, but I wouldn’t bet on it. ________________________________ Washington 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=3ad6098ea0&e=7ccb4f03e2> With Questions regarding WSTA legislative priorities or advocacy efforts, please contact WSTA Executive Director Justin D. Leighton: justin@watransit.com <https://maassets.higherlogic.com/image/APTA/Executive_Action_Update_650x200_Final_3009955.png> Impacts of Executive Actions on Public Transportation: APTA Resources and Upcoming Webinar on Thursday, February 20 Since January 20, President Trump has issued almost 100 Executive Orders, Memoranda, and Proclamations to carry out his Administration’s policy goals and agenda. Many of these directives, together with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) actions, directly impact the public transportation industry. These Executive Orders and other directives pause some transportation funding; terminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; impose new tariffs; and establish priorities for DOT competitive grants. APTA’s Executive and Regulatory Actions Tracker <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=eeb3d2bc0f&e=7ccb4f03e2> provides real-time updates and summaries regarding the President’s Executive Orders and other Administration actions that impact the public transportation industry. In addition, APTA will host a webinar on the first 30 days of the Administration <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=996daac935&e=7ccb4f03e2> and discuss the impacts of Executive actions on public transportation agencies, funding, current projects, and more. The Impacts of Executive Actions on Public Transportation webinar <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=59c93d0c94&e=7ccb4f03e2> will be held on Thursday, February 20, at 3:00 pm ET. (APTA Members Only) <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=b88dbea62e&e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/27544fb0-86cb-4eb4-a6fb-8958be87599c.png> WSTA Spring Committee Season is here! Please don't forget to register now. Operations Committee March 5 - 7 | Lynwood, WA CLICK HERE <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=fb78f4d840&e=7ccb4f03e2> State Roadeo Steering Committee March 12 | Ellensburg, WA CLICK HERE <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=dc1b4935f4&e=7ccb4f03e2> Human Resource Roundtable Committee March 20 - 21 | Olmypia, WA CLICK HERE <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=09958853ee&e=7ccb4f03e2> Finance Officers Leadership Committee March 26 | Walla Walla, WA CLICK HERE <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=1578c7d157&e=7ccb4f03e2> State Roadeo Steering Committee March 9 | Virtual CLICK HERE <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=d6336fbbec&e=7ccb4f03e2> Marketing & Communications April 16 & 17 | Vancouver, WA CLICK HERE <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=421747d715&e=7ccb4f03e2> TNLI Session 1 April 17 & 18 | Vancouver, WA CLICK HERE <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=27592b6606&e=7ccb4f03e2> TNLI Advanced April 28- 30 | Tulaliup Info Coming Soon <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=bbb92c4604&e=7ccb4f03e2> Spring Maintenance Forum Maintenance & Facilities Committee May 6- 8 | Spokane Coming Soon <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=9114a68ccd&e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://mcusercontent.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/92c7b85f-59ef-784f-7669-38170c8ec978.png> House Passes Budget Resolution for Comprehensive Reconciliation Measure, While Senate Considers Changes The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14 <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=2c2c8b3 964&e=7ccb4f03e2> ) in a 217-215 vote on Tuesday night. The framework will allow for lawmakers to potentially consider President Donald Trump’s preferred “one big, beautiful bill” with border security, energy, and tax provisions. The measure would raise the statutory debt limit by another $4 trillion to $40.1 trillion. The resolution would allow for $4.5 trillion worth of tax cuts, while calling for at least $2 trillion worth of spending cuts. To achieve that, the House budget resolution instructs the following House committees to reduce or increase the deficit by the following amounts: * $230 billion decrease in the deficit by the House Agriculture Committee * $100 billion increase in the deficit by the House Armed Services Committee * $$330 billion decrease in the deficit by the House Education and Workforce Committee * $880 billion decrease in the deficit by the House Energy and Commerce Committee * $1 billion decrease in the deficit by the House Financial Services Committee * $90 billion increase in the deficit by the House Homeland Security Committee * $110 billion increase in the deficit by the House Judiciary Committee * $1 billion decrease in the deficit by the House Natural Resources Committee * $50 billion decrease in the deficit by the House Oversight and Government Committee * $10 billion decrease in the deficit by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee * $4.5 trillion increase in the deficit by the House Ways and Means Committee As we reported on January 24th, the House Budget Committee previously circulated a 50-page document <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=550ac3d283&e=7cc b4f03e2> , which was obtained by CQ, for the GOP conference to explore potential spending reductions. The potential budgetary provisions under consideration may include, but are not limited to: * eliminating the exclusion of interest on state and local bonds; * ending tax preferences for other bonds including private activity bonds (PABs) and Build America bonds; * changing the cap of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction; * eliminating the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG); * capping the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit; * implementing able-bodied work requirements for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and Medicaid coverage and reforming Supplemental Security Income (SSI) requirements; * reforming Medicare and Medicaid policies, Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, and prescription drug policies under the Inflation Reduction Act; * limiting federal healthcare program eligibility by citizenship status; * repealing clean energy tax credits and Title V and VI funds authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act; * increasing electric vehicle (EV) fees; * eliminating employer-paid transportation benefits; * eliminating the mortgage interest deduction; * eliminating the death tax; * repealing the corporate alternative minimum tax established by the Inflation Reduction Act; * lower the corporate tax rate to 20 percent; * ending the Employee Retention Credit (ERTC); * reforming federal student loans; and * codifying tariffs. In response to the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds allegedly being at risk for potential revenue offsets, intergovernmental organizations including the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) are launching campaigns to protect the $4 trillion municipal bond market that supports critical public infrastructure development nationwide. You can add your projects and stories to BuildByBonds.com <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=b360f5b03b&e=7ccb4f03e2> to help inform this advocacy effort led by the Public Finance Network. It offers a review of bond issuance data sorted by Congressional District. As a reminder, the Senate passed its $380 billion budget resolution last week covering only border security, defense, and energy without allowing for tax reform. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso communicated that he expects the Senate will consider making changes to the House version of the budget resolution. Some Senators have expressed a desire to make the tax credits included in the Tax Jobs and Cuts Act (P.L. 115-97) permanent, while others want to change the committee-specific instructions dictating spending cuts. The Senate budget resolution instructs the following House and Senate committees to reduce or increase the deficit by the following amounts: U.S. House of Representatives * $1 billion decrease in the deficit by the House Agriculture Committee * $150 billion increase in the deficit by the House Armed Services Committee * $1 billion decrease in the deficit by the House Education and Workforce Committee * $1 billion decrease in the deficit by the House Energy and Commerce Committee * $1 billion decrease in the deficit by the House Natural Resources Committee * $175 billion increase in the deficit by the House Homeland Security Committee * $175 billion increase in the deficit by the House Judiciary Committee * $20 billion increase in the deficit by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee U.S. Senate * $1 billion decrease in the deficit by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee * $150 billion increase in the deficit by the Senate Armed Services Committee * $20 billion increase in the deficit by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee * $1 billion decrease in the deficit by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee * $1 billion increase in the deficit by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee * $1 billion decrease in the deficit by the Senate Finance Committee * $1 billion decrease in the deficit by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee * $175 billion increase in the deficit by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee * $175 billion increase in the deficit by the Senate Judiciary Committee We would stress that the two chambers must adopt identical budget resolutions in order to circumvent the Senate filibuster using reconciliation. The Senate has the ability to amend the House budget resolution and send it back to the House for reconsideration, and it will likely do so. Clearly there are differences to resolve moving forward. Congress Pivots Toward Full-Year Continuing Resolution, Fate of FY 2025 Earmarks Hangs in the Balance Appropriators have yet to reach a final agreement on how to proceed with funding for the federal government, despite the fact that the current Continuing Resolution (CR) expires March 14, 2025. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins of Maine has allegedly pivoted to drafting a long-term CR that would fund the government for the remainder of federal fiscal year (FY) 2025 ending September 30, 2025. She remains open to another short-term patch if negotiations improve in efforts toward an omnibus agreement that would reconcile the House and Senate versions of the 12 spending bills; however, House Speaker Mike Johnson would prefer to focus on a full-year “clean” CR that would include a few necessary adjustments known as “anomalies.” The White House has provided its list of requested anomalies to lawmakers. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole indicated the House could consider legislation as early as next week. For state and local government entities with pending FY 2025 earmark requests, we would offer that all current Community Project Funding and Congressionally Directed Spending requests would likely be omitted from a full-year CR in the absence of an omnibus spending agreement. Should lawmakers pursue that path of a full-year CR moving forward, individual Members of Congress would need to decide whether or not to conduct a solicitation for earmark requests for FY 2026 or instead merely resubmit requests previously selected for submission to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in FY 2025, if project timelines would allow for that. We are still awaiting committee-level guidance in the House and Senate. Our team will be in touch once a broader discussion is made on the remainder of FY 2025 spending. White House Directs Agencies to Conduct Major Workforce Reductions In accordance with Executive Order <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=2092bd18f3&e=7ccb4f03e2> 14210 entitled Implementing The President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a joint memorandum <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=b2fa57a98a&e=7ccb4f03e2> on Wednesday to the heads of executive departments and agencies to plan to implement Agency Reductions in Force (RIF) and Reorganization Plans, which will be known as ARRPs. The Administration is seeking to achieve “increased productivity” and “better service for the American people” by implementing “a significant reduction in the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions by eliminating positions that are not required; a reduced real property footprint; and a reduced budget topline.” The memorandum states that “agencies should focus on the maximum elimination of functions that are not statutorily mandated while driving the highest-quality, most efficient delivery of their statutorily-required functions.” The memo requires agencies to provide an update on the number of full-time employees they plan to cut in accordance with outlined objectives and the projected cost savings that will result from those reductions (over the next three years) by March 13th. Agencies will be required to provide updated organizational charts accounting for those updated employee counts and outlining how responsibilities will be redistributed to other offices by April 14th. Agencies must also provide monthly updates to OMB and OPM until September 30, 2025. Please note this directive excludes positions that “meet law enforcement, border security, national security, immigration enforcement, and public safety responsibilities” as well as military personnel, postal workers, and the Executive Office of the President. It also exempts “officials nominated and appointed to positions requiring Presidential appointment or Senate confirmation, non-career positions in the Senior Executive Service or Schedule C positions in the excepted service, officials appointed through temporary organization hiring authority pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 3161, or the appointment of any other non-career employees or officials, if approved by agency leadership appointed by the President.” Additionally, workers who “provide direct services to citizens (such as Social Security, Medicare, and veterans' health care)” will not be laid off without a review by OMB and OPM. Our team would also note that a number of lawsuits have been filing challenging the legality of other efforts to reduce federal personnel. Yesterday, Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California ruled that the Administration’s recent layoffs of all probationary employees was illegal and that OPM exceeded its authority with the issuance of two memos used as the basis for firing an estimated 200,000 probationary workers. We hope that you can appreciate how these large-scale workforce reduction initiatives are impacting federal workers’ ability to effectively engage with intergovernmental partners and other stakeholders. Please let us know if you are encountering any issues in your coordination with agencies across the Executive Branch. We would be happy to try to troubleshoot any problems working with your Congressional offices, although we would encourage you to prepare for some potential delays resulting from this whole-of-government reorganization effort. Artificial Intelligence White House * Pursuant to the Executive Order entitled Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence (EO 14179 <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a836 1&id=032c20ad00&e=7ccb4f03e2> ), the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) issued <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=a62942d17b&e= 7ccb4f03e2> a Request for Information (RFI) <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=d5887b774a&e=7ccb4f03e2> to inform the development of a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan. Public comments on the RFI are due by March 15, 2025. * The RFI comes as California Congressman Jay Obernolte, Co-Chair of the House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, offered his recommendations on potential AI legislation in an interview <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=fe70601c58&e=7ccb4f03e2> with Route Fifty. As states begin to develop their own frameworks for overseeing AI, he expressed that he would prefer “issue by issue” federal AI legislation rather than a bill with broad standards in order to ensure that federal and state governments are able to play a proper role in AI regulation. The Task Force delivered <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=f4378ed9a3&e=7ccb4f03e2> a comprehensive report <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=a0e1c8790d&e=7ccb4f03e2> on the issue in December. <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/ea436c8d-6255-4572-b705-ffd9193ee521.png> Transit Job of the Week ________________________________ Deputy Chief of Operations Spokane Transit Salary Range: $124,441 – $166,762 The Deputy Chief of Operations is a senior management position responsible for the daily delivery of transit services and operational oversight of STA’s Fixed Route Transportation, ADA Paratransit, Rideshare program, and maintenance of vehicles and facilities. Reporting to and supporting the Chief Operations Officer (COO), this is a critical leadership position in the management of the Agency’s operational departments and ensuring efficient, reliable, safe, and secure transit operations. The position works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, providing operational input to service planning and supporting the successful implementation of capital projects once they become operational. The role oversees the maintenance and operation of a fleet of over four hundred vehicles, including buses, vans, non-revenue vehicles, and specialized equipment, along will all bus stops, shelters, stations, transit centers, and all other facility assets. <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=7e6efca3a0&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=3eb2c7823b&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=8be729e718&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=15573b8228&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=b433b26e41&e=7ccb4f03e2> <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361/images/fb82d603-27ab-431a-ac10-5225f4a43f6c.png> * Sound Transit moves forward with early land acquisition for West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=1bef761140&e= 7ccb4f03e2> . Westside Seattle * Ballard Light Rail At-Grade <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=66e059a12a&e=7ccb4f03e2> . Seattle Transit Blog * ORCA Pod and Sound Transit Reducing Select Fares on March 1 <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=cd20b063e4&e=7ccb4f03e2> . The Urbanist * Ben Franklin Transit unveils new express routes for faster city-to-city travel <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=9f3c8dcd45&e=7ccb4f03e2> . KAPP * C-Tran will use AI to make Vine on Mill Plain trips smoother and quicker <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=687c698ead&e=7ccb4f03e2> . The Columbian (pdf included) * Constantine Pushes Back on Conflict Allegations Surrounding Sound Transit CEO Bid <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=b194264c72&e=7ccb4f03e2> . The Urbanist * King County Council approves task force to enhance bus safety after driver’s murder <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=48be922fa8&e=7ccb4f03e2> . My Northwest * ‘Anything goes’ no more: Union president welcomes return of King County Metro fare enforcement <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=898313cc21&e=7ccb4f 03e2> . My Northwest * Bill to open bus only lanes to employer shuttles sparks debate in Olympia <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=849571701a&e=7ccb4f03e2> . KIRO Newsradio * Community Transit To Reduce Fares for Some Riders in March <https://watransit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c70c3a1d76c22fe2ef2a8361&id=72969150c9&e=7ccb4f03e2> . 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