Washington State Transit Association

Legislative and public outreach: the washington state transit association (wsta) members work together to develop a state legislative agenda and then work together (members, wsta executive director, and wsta and smta (a caucus of wsta) contract lobbyists) to pursue the legislative agenda. Wsta provides educational information and briefings, as well as a central point of contact to legislators, legislative staff, and the governor's office and staff, and state agencies. As needed, wsta prepares comments on proposed state laws, rules, and budget proposals, and funding packages. Wsta provides weekly updattes and calls to keep members informed of legislative activities during the state legislative session. Wsta participates in legislative studies related to public transportation. Occasionally, wsta provides legislative updates to members regarding issues at the federal level and may prepare comment letters on behalf of members. Wsta also collaborates with other partners to provide outreach and education on the benefits of public transportatiuon. This work includes development of informational documents, responses to questions, drafting of articles and/or news releases for the press, and coordinating with other groups including grass roots organizations and various business groups. In recent years, this work has been closely tied to discussions about a possible statewide transportation funding package.