; (5) higher operating costs incurred for public transit in the national capital area cannot be offset by service cuts since this undermines the public interest in promoting the use of public transit and could impact public safety; (6) spiraling labor costs cannot be offset by the governmental entities that are responsible for subsidy payments for public transit services since local governments face other substantial financial obligations; (7) labor costs cannot be increased during periods of time when an interstate Compact agency operating in the national capital area providing public transportation is financially stressed taking into account operating costs, legacy benefit obligations, capital needs, and reserve levels; (8) imposition of mandatory standards applicable to arbitrators resolving arbitration disputes involving interstate Compact agencies operating in the national capital area will ensure that wages, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment, including work rules, are justified and do not adversely impact the ability of the interstate Compact agencies to provide affordable, safe, and reliable public transit services at levels sufficient to serve the needs of the Washington metropolitan area; (9) Federal legislation is required to ensure that interest arbitration decisions do not adversely impact the ability of interstate Compact agencies operating in the national capital area to emerge from periods of financial stress and avoid future periods of financial stress