New Laws Address Collective Bargaining

September 21, 2018 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Collective Bargaining

This blog post gives an overview of four new laws passed by the 2018 Washington State Legislature regarding public employers. 

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Introducing Laura Crandall, Public Policy and Finance Analyst

September 19, 2018 by Laura Crandall
Category:

MRSC welcomes Laura Crandall to its staff. Laura is joining us as the Public Policy and Finance Analyst. 

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Tips for Improving Your Grant Proposal Development Process

September 18, 2018 by Amy Gabriel
Category: Revenues , Finance

From providing feedback on draft grant guidelines to employing an outside consultant, this post offers tips on how municipalities can improve the grant development process. 

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The Election Edition of What if…?

September 13, 2018 by Paul Sullivan
Category:

In this blog post, MRSC Legal Consultant Paul Sullivan reviews some unlikely occurrences that could arise in and after elections and what should be done in response.

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A Review of 2018 Legislative Outcomes Related to Public Works

September 11, 2018 by Judy Isaac
Category:

The 2018 legislative session made some additions and some changes affecting public works contracting. MRSC Public Works Consultant Judy Isaac recaps the rulings and highlights some of the impacts in the post.

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Why We Need Joy in Government

September 7, 2018 by Government Performance Consortium
Category: Government Performance Consortium

In the final post of the 3-part series, authors Larisa Benson and Chelsea Lei of the Government Performance Center make the case why joy is essential for transforming the experience of working in government and achieving meaningful performance improvement.

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Government of the Future Part 2: Reframing Performance Measurement

September 6, 2018 by Government Performance Consortium
Category: Government Performance Advisor , Government Performance Consortium

Part 2 of this 3-part series from the Government Performance Consortium looks at why local governments need to reframe performance measurements by amplifying a growth mindset and focusing on human potential. 

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Government of the Future Part 1: Nurturing Innovation with Empathy

September 4, 2018 by Government Performance Consortium
Category: Government Performance Advisor , Government Performance Consortium

The first of this 3-part series from the Government Performance Consortium emphasizes the importance of support, empathy, and connection within organizations that are pushing the boundaries of government excellence. 

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New Legislation Related to Affordable Housing

August 30, 2018 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Housing

This post looks at laws from the 2018 Legislative Session that promote the development of affordable housing and address the housing affordability crisis, including 3SHB, 2382, HB 1085, SHB 2538, ESSB 5143, and ESSB 1570.

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Faster Plan Review Turnarounds Are Within Your Reach

August 27, 2018 by Rich Conrad
Category: Subdivisions and Planned Developments

Guest author Rich Conrad presents a 4-step approach to plan reviews might be the key to helping you end backlog burdens and produce faster results.

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Supporting/Opposing Ballot Measures and Candidates

August 23, 2018 by Paul Sullivan
Category: Elections

In this blog, Legal Consultant Paul Sullivan addresses questions local government staff and elected officials often have when it comes to supporting or opposing ballot measures and/or candidates for public office.

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Fewer Teens May End Up in Adult Courts

August 20, 2018 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Courts, Criminal Justice and Corrections

Signed into law this March, SB 6160 reduces the number of criminal offenses under which youth defendants aged 16- to 17-years-old can be automatically sent to adult court to have their cases tried. 

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Banning Plastic Straws and Utensils

August 16, 2018 by Flannary Collins
Category: Environmental Policy , Environmental Management

Is the era of plastic over in Seattle? Managing Attorney Flannary Collins looks at the city's, and other jurisdictions, attempts to ban various products made of plastic, from straws to bags to food-service ware.  

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Is Your Utility Rate Study Talking to Your Asset Management Strategy?

August 13, 2018 by FCS GROUP
Category: Finance Advisor , Asset Management

Using asset management to inform your utility financial plan and rate strategy improves the accuracy of forecasts and facilitates better investment in infrastructure. This blog post offers an overview of the ways an agency can start aligning asset management and rate studies. 

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2018 Primary Election Ballot Measure Results

August 9, 2018 by Steve Hawley
Category: Elections

This blog post looks at the issues that stood out in the 2018 primary elections. 

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Paid Family Medical Leave Payments Start in 2019

August 6, 2018 by Paul Sullivan
Category: Leave Policies

Beginning in 2019, Washington local governments will need to collect paid family and medical leave payments from their employees.

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Land Use and Nuisances Legislative Update

August 1, 2018 by Oskar Rey
Category: Automobile Nuisances , Property Nuisances , Homelessness

In this blog post, Legal Consultant Oskar Rey looks at several bills passed in the last legislative session that address land use, nuisance, and code enforcement issues.

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Answers to Common Election Season Questions

July 26, 2018 by Paul Sullivan
Category: Elections

This blog post addresses election-related questions MRSC consultants often field from elected officials and local government employees — such as use of public facilities for political campaigns — and offers additional resources. 

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2019 Budget Suggestions is Here – 75th Anniversary Edition!

July 25, 2018 by Toni Nelson
Category: Budgets and Budgeting

Our annual Budget Suggestions publication is here! Read about new legislation and proposed initiatives, core revenues and budget hearings, per capita shared revenue distributions, and more! Plus, to commemorate our 75th anniversary edition, take a look back in time at the original 1944 Budget Suggestions.

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Do We Have to Obey the Mayor?

July 23, 2018 by Ann G. Macfarlane
Category: Legislative Body , Council-Commission Advisor

Under Robert's Rules of Order and common parliamentary law the presiding officer of a governing body has certain rights — but so too do councilmembers, county commissioners, and directors of special districts — and no one has the authority to dominate the group.

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