Two major transit industry businesses have pledged to assist WSTA with a legal defense fund to help fight I-976 in the courts.
Gillig and Creative Bus Sales have both committed significant funding to WSTA's legal efforts. Both companies are long-time supporters of WSTA through our events and programs and their contributions to this effort solidify their commitment to better transit in Washington.
Thank You
If your company would like to learn more about how it can help save important transit funding in Washington State please contact Justin Leighton, WSTA Executive Director at justin@watransit.com.
The Summary of Public Transportation every year since 1978. It serves as the central document for statewide, public transportation data including ridership by each agency and a statewide perspective.
The Mobility Reportpresents narratives and performance data for the Regional Mobility, Special Needs, and Rural Mobility grant programs. It details WSDOT’s ongoing effort to carry out the vision of Connecting Washington and implement the Washington State Public Transportation Plan. Additionally, it contains an update on the Transportation Demand Management Technical Committee (formerly the Commute Trip Reduction Board), the State Agency Commute Trip Reduction Program, and the Small Business Transit Pass Incentive Grant.
WSTA Job of the Week
Marine Services Director - Kitsap Transit
Kitsap Transit has an exciting and unique opportunity for a qualified and experienced person to direct the delivery of passenger-only ferry service linking Kitsap County with downtown Seattle and the intracounty foot ferry service between Bremerton and Port Orchard
House Judiciary Committee Approves Articles of Impeachment
The House Judiciary Committee approved articles of impeachment (H. Res. 755) in a 23-17 vote against President Donald J. Trump this morning. Democrats introduced two articles of impeachment for consideration: “abuse of power” and “obstruction of Congress.” They declined to level a charge on obstruction of justice. Announcing the articles earlier this week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “On this solemn day, I recall that the first order of business for Members of Congress is the solemn act to take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” House Intelligence Committee and Judiciary Committee staff presented their rationale in a hearing on Monday, releasing findings in two reports to summarize the investigation. A full impeachment vote by the U.S. House of Representatives is expected as soon as Tuesday.
Congress Reaches Agreement on FY 2020 Appropriations
House and Senate appropriators struck a tentative deal late yesterday afternoon, following several days of intense discussion between Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby and House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey regarding the fate of twelve spending bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. Votes on a series of “minibus” packages to be unveiled on Monday will take place in the House beginning on Tuesday. Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin met with House leadership on several occasions this week to try to resolve as many as 100 various sticking points in the negotiations. Various issues of contention at various points in time included funding for the southern border wall, homeless assistance grants, family planning, and special infrastructure projects in the State of California. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi maintained on Tuesday that “there will not a shutdown.” Current funding for the federal government expires on December 20, 2019.
Lawmakers Include Controversial Transit Provisions in NDAA
Municipalities and transit agencies should be aware that the aforementioned NDAA Conference Report includes language that will prohibit the use of federal transit funding to purchase rail cars or buses from certain Chinese companies in the future. The language from Section 7613 reads:
“The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 6015) that would amend section 5323 of title 49, United States Code, to prevent the use of Federal transit dollars to procure rolling stock from certain manufacturers and an associated annual process for certifying compliance, with an exception for preexisting contracts for rail rolling stock. This provision also would require that any transit service operator of rail rolling stock develop and execute a cybersecurity risk reduction plan in accordance with certain standards and would include arrangements for third-party testing of certain components. The House amendment contained a similar provision (sec. 896) that would apply overall, only to rail rolling stock. The House recedes with amendments that would add exceptions to implementation including a grace period of two years from enactment, for certain rolling stock, and other technical amendments.”
One company that may be affected is BYD, which is one of only three major manufacturers of electric buses and trucks in the United States with more than 1,000 employees. Critics contend that this will impede the ability of some public agencies to procure efficient fleets and reduce carbon emissions. Please let us know if you have any concerns regarding how this may affect your procurement in the future.
US DOT Reforms Internal Rulemaking Process
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that reforms its internal rulemaking, guidance, and enforcement practices. DOT will now permanently adopt the Administration’s “2-for-1” regulatory policy, which requires that any agency planning to propose a new regulation must concurrently eliminate two additional regulations. The rule also increases public participation in the rulemaking process, relaxes enforcement mechanisms for agency guidance, and increases due process protections for subjects of enforcement actions. The final rule will take effect 30 days following publication in the Federal Register.
WSTA offers a comprehensive clearinghouse for transit jobs across the state. Use our website to interactively locate an agency in the area you wish to work or scroll through the list agencies and jobs available.
If you are a transit agency and have an opening - please use the submit button on the website.
transit employees are encouraged to follow, engage and participate in the WSTA committee structure. No need to be asked or nominated to join your counterparts around the state!
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.
Ask Transit WSTA's partner tWashingtonton 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
