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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for May 2013

Washington Supreme Court Misses an Opportunity in Public Records Act Decision

May 30, 2013  by  Joe Levan
Category:  Public Records Act

In Resident Action Council v. Seattle Housing Authority, the state Supreme Court went to great lengths to describe how public records exemptions are applied, but it did not distinguish between exemptions and prohibitions to disclosure, an issue that many find confusing.

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How May the Revenues from the Sales Tax Authorized for Rural Counties in RCW 82.14.370 Be Used?

May 22, 2013  by  Pat Mason
Category:  Sales and Use Taxes

RCW 82.14.370 provides "rural" counties the authority to impose an up to 0.09 percent sales and use tax for the purpose of financing "public facilities serving economic development purposes in rural counties and finance personnel in economic development offices." (A "rural county" under this statute is one having a population density of less than 100 persons per square mile or one smaller than...

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Washington’s New Fire Suppression (Hydrant) Law—SHB 1512

May 10, 2013  by  John W. Carpita, PE
Category:  Fire Protection ,  Water Utilities

Thanks to concerted and cooperative action by a coalition of public and private water purveyors, cities, counties, trade organizations, and fire fighting agencies (FIRE PALS), Washington now has a new fire suppression (hydrant) law. This new law resolves issues resulting from two court cases,...

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Public Hearings -- How Much Notice Is Required?

May 8, 2013  by  Jim Doherty
Category:  Legislative Body

MRSC routinely receives calls on this issue, and as with many issues, the answer is: “that depends.” There are many public hearings that cities and counties are required by statute to hold - for instance, when a city...

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