September was a busy month! We recently wrapped up a week of hosting friends and colleagues from around the country at the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) Annual Conference. This newsletter will provide highlights of recent conferences and updates on recent state legislative interim meetings and activities in Congress. | |
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LEGISLATIVE INTERIM
The legislature met for interim meetings on September 18th and 19th as they continued to study a number of items in preparation for the 2024 legislative session. Here are a few highlights:
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Comprehensive Safety Action Plans - WFRC, along with our partners at the Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG), presented to the Transportation Interim Committee about local transportation safety and the Comprehensive Safety Action Plans (CSAP) we’ve been preparing. The CSAP, which was funded through the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, identifies transportation strategies and infrastructure projects within our region that local communities can use to improve safety for all users. The Committee discussed important issues, including the safety of construction workers, pedestrians, cyclists, roundabouts, and children playing on the streets.
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Station Area Planning - The Transportation Interim and the Political Subdivisions Interim Committees both heard a report from WFRC and MAG on the status of Station Area Planning (SAP) (HB462 2022). Cities are required to plan for enhanced development around Utah’s FrontRunner, TRAX, or BRT stations with the goal of helping to address Utah’s housing availability and affordability challenges. The Committees heard about the status and progress on these SAPs. The majority of the SAPs need to be completed by the end of 2025; the cities in the region are well positioned to meet this deadline–sixty-five station area plans have been completed or are in progress. Notably, the last ten SAPs that have been adopted under the legislation and certified by the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) contemplate adding over 22,400 new housing units. At this rate, when all SAPs are complete, there would be a total of approximately 88,000 new housing units planned. For more information on SAPs, and the technical assistance available, visit our SAP webpage.
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UNIFIED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (UEOC)
The UEOC met on September 16th to receive the first round of preliminary recommendations and reports from its working groups with the intent that these recommendations inform any further interim actions, as well as the Governor’s Budget process. Here are a few highlights:
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Advanced Manufacturing - Representatives from Advanced Manufacturing explained the role of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that AI is not intended to threaten jobs but to enhance productivity, allowing industries to focus on upskilling employees and increasing wages. AI is also expected to streamline processes, making operations more efficient and convenient for employees and businesses.
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Aerospace & Defense - Aaron Starks, CEO of 47G, provided a brief background on 47G and its mission to “make Utah the nation’s premier ecosystem for aerospace and defense companies.” The mission has four pillars, (i) academia, (ii) the industry itself, (iii) state and government, and (iv) professional services. Additionally, he reported that Project Air Logistics and Transportation Alliance (Project Alta) is focusing specifically on creating the nation’s first operable air mobility ecosystem by the 2034 Olympics. This will allow air taxis to transport people from the airport to sites within minutes.
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Vision 2034 - Vision 2034 is the UEOC-led effort to prepare Utah for the 2034 Olympics and beyond. Ryan Starks, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), noted the December 24th deadline to form the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG), which is already underway. Vision 2034 has identified a set of core topics:
- Housing
- Transportation
- Water
- Energy
- Higher Education & Workforce Development
- The Utah Business Landscape
- Elevate Urban & Rural Utah
- Quality of Life
- The Olympic Experience
The UEOC will meet again on October 23rd to further consider policy proposals.
Many other policy-making activities are underway as well, such as the Commission on Housing Affordability, the development of a State Housing Plan, the Salt Lake Chamber-led Utah Rising, and others. WFRC is engaged in all of these efforts, along with our partners.
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FEDERAL UPDATES
Congress Punts Federal Spending Until After the November Election
At the end of September, Congress passed a stop-gap spending measure (or Continuing Resolution “CR”) to continue to fund the Federal Government past the end of the federal fiscal year, which ended on September 30th. The current CR funds the government at FY24 spending levels until December 20th. With control of the House, Senate, and White House up for grabs on November 5th, the House and Senate are now in a recess period until after the election. When they return to Washington in November, Congress will have a very full agenda before the end of the year, including the year-end spending bill (FY25), the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and a variety of healthcare tax extenders. Congress could also take up a few other year-end priorities like the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), online safety and privacy bills, legislation aimed at energy permitting reforms, artificial intelligence (AI), and trade and China policies, among others.
It is also very important to note that the federal Debt Limit (or Debt Ceiling) runs until January 2nd, 2025. Congress may reach a deal to address the debt limit in December, but that could very possibly be pushed into January and be an item that a newly seated Congress will have to resolve. The U.S. Department of the Treasury could make additional time for a new Congress to address this issue in January by taking “extraordinary measures” to avoid the U.S. defaulting on our debt absent Congressional action before the end of the year.
Federal Grant Opportunities
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IN OTHER NEWS
AMPO Annual Conference
WFRC welcomed leadership and staff from MPOs across the country to Salt Lake City for the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) Annual Conference this month.
- WFRC appreciated Representative Burgess Owens welcoming AMPO attendees to SLC with this video message. Representative Owens, who is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, highlighted the important work that MPOs do and his appreciation for Utah’s MPO partners.
- Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson, WFRC Chair and South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey, and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall joined WFRC Executive Director Andrew Gruber on the main stage for the opening luncheon, engaging in a thoughtful discussion of how state and local governments work together to plan for a better future. Andrew Gruber highlighted that the work of MPOs is based on three key principles: collaboration, planning, and caring for our communities. The panel expanded on these themes, offering insights into successful partnerships. We extend our most sincere appreciation to Lt. Governor Henderson, Mayor Ramsey, and Mayor Mendenhall for sharing their unique perspectives and exemplifying how collaborative efforts drive progress in our state.
- The AMPO Policy Committee, on which WFRC serves, met to discuss federal policy priorities for MPOs and our partners leading up to the next federal transportation authorization act.
- WFRC helped plan and organize a number of mobile tours, including a tour of Olympic Venues in a look-ahead to the 2034 games. Additionally, there was a mobile tour exploring the walkable master-planned community of Daybreak in South Jordan City.
A big thanks to the WFRC leadership and staff that aided in putting together a successful conference, and an appreciation to our MPO partners across the country for joining us in SLC.
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IN OTHER NEWS
Partner Updates
Fall conference season was upon us as our partners at the Utah League of Cities and Towns and Utah Association of Counties both held their annual conferences in September.
The Utah League of Cities and Towns held their annual conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center. It was incredible to hear about the progress being made across the state and how each community is adapting to growth. We were honored to have numerous WFRC staff collaborating with partners and sharing their expertise across nine different sessions at the conference.
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WFRC Chair South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey and WFRC members Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini, Layton Mayor Joy Petro, and West Jordan Mayor Dirk Burton join WFRC staff for a group photo
Our partners at UAC hosted their annual conference at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, where county elected officials and staff from across the state gathered to discuss county needs, challenges, and opportunities while learning from counterparts across the state.
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(L to R) Salt Lake County Council Member and WFRC member Aimee Winder Newton, WFRC Regional Economic Development Planner Marcia White, WFRC Executive Director Andrew Gruber, Salt Lake County Mayor and WFRC member Jenny Wilson, Justin Stewart and Kara Trevino with Salt Lake County, and Utah Attorney General's Office Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Piatt at the UAC Conference | |
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Upcoming Partner Event
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Utah Transportation Conference: Formerly known as the UDOT Annual Conference, will bring ALL transportation industry professionals (roadway, transit, active transportation, etc.) together for three days of learning experiences and an abundance of networking opportunities. The conference will be held on November 5th - 7th at the Mountain America Expo Center.
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As we conclude this Government Affairs update, we are happy to share that Miranda and her family are doing well! Both baby and big sister are enjoying this special time together, and we wish them continued health and happiness. While work progresses during Miranda’s leave, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions. | |
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Sending warm fall greetings to you and your colleagues!
Best,
Johnnae Nardone
Communications Manager
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