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MRSC Insight Blog

Recent Posts

Encouraging Small-Scale Manufacturing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

September 25, 2020 by Steve Butler
Category: Strategies and Programs , COVID-19

This blog post looks at small-scale manufacturing, its role in a strong local economy, and how local governments can encourage the growth of these critical businesses.

Advancing Racial Equity at the Local Government Level

September 24, 2020 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Inclusive Communities

This blog post offers an overview of diversity and racial equity training options that local governments may wish to implement.

What’s New for Washington Cyclists in 2020?

September 21, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Cycling and Walking

This blog post provides an overview of two pieces of legislation related to bicycling: SSB 5723, from 2019, and SSB 6208, from 2020.

The 9th Circuit Backs the FCC in Small Wireless Appeal

September 18, 2020 by Ogden Murphy Wallace
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Telecommunications

This post covers a recent ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upholding Federal Communications Commission Orders preempting many aspects of local government regulation of small wireless facilities.

Disaster Zone: COVID-19, Adapt Not Endure

September 17, 2020 by Eric Holdeman
Category:

What will life look like once the coronavirus pandemic is contained? Guest author Eric Holdeman suggests we will need to adapt and offers some ideas on what changes might be coming.

ADR: Negotiation and Facilitation

September 14, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Management

This blog post provides an overview of negotiation and facilitation, two Alternative Dispute Resolution tools.

Keeping People Housed: Homelessness Prevention Strategies to Bridge Emergencies

September 10, 2020 by Laura Crandall
Category: Homelessness , COVID-19

This blog post identifies root cause contributors to homelessness and details a variety of prevention strategies for local governments.

Filling a Vacancy in City or Town Councils

September 8, 2020 by MRSC Insight
Category: Legislative Body

This post addresses the basics of filing a vacancy on a city or town council.

COVID-19: Where Things Stand as of September 3, 2020

September 4, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Elections , Open Public Meetings Act , Utilities - Billing and Collection , Public Records Act , COVID-19

This blog post provides an overview of recent state (and some federal) actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

President’s Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations

September 1, 2020 by Toni Nelson
Category: Compensation , COVID-19

This blog post reviews a recent federal memorandum directing the U.S. Treasury to defer the withholding, deposit, and payment of Social Security taxes on wages and compensation paid during September 1 through December 31, 2020.

Implicit Price Deflator Falls Below 1%

August 31, 2020 by Toni Nelson
Category: Economic, Population and Historical Tax Data

This blog provides an update of the latest economic data regarding the implicit price deflator, as well as other considerations needed for setting property tax levies for 2021.

Washington Enacts Statewide Bag Ban

August 27, 2020 by Aly Jones
Category: Environmental Policy , Environmental Management , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post provides an overview of ESSB 5323, which bans Washington-based retail establishments from providing single-use, plastic carryout bags.

“Back to School” During COVID-19: FFCRA Leave and Other Considerations

August 24, 2020 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Leave Policies , COVID-19

Even though school is set to start soon, many kids won't be attending in person. This blog post looks at employee leave available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and how it applies to school closures and childcare.

Locating Good Data for Your Revenue Forecasting

August 21, 2020 by Mike Bailey
Category: Revenues , COVID-19

Traditional approaches to revenue forecasting will not be sufficient during the COVID-19 pandemic. This blog post explores where to find good data and get more accurate ways to predict future revenues.

Emerging Issues Roundup: August 2020

August 20, 2020 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Law Enforcement , Operating Policies , COVID-19

In this blog post, Policy Consultant Byron Katsuyama reports on emerging issues for local governments, including telework, hybrid public meeting formats, and police reform efforts.

Living in Vehicles: How Homestead Rights Affect Municipal Impounds

August 17, 2020 by Oskar Rey
Category: Homelessness

This blog post suggests that local government impound procedures should be reviewed to ensure that these don't impede upon the 'homestead rights' of people living out of their vehicles.

Embracing Disaster Mitigation by Wearing a Protective Mask

August 13, 2020 by Eric Holdeman
Category: COVID-19

In this blog, guest author Eric Holdeman suggests that mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic is an essential component in disaster mitigation.

Election Season Rules – Does COVID-19 Change the Game?

August 10, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Elections , COVID-19

Can an employee post a political sign in their home office? Should elected officials take part in PSA's? This blog explores how standard rules governing what government resources can and cannot be used for during campaign season, and how these rules apply during the pandemic.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts in Washington State

August 6, 2020 by Laura Crandall
Category: Inclusive Communities

This blog post offers an overview of how some Washington State local governments have approached efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

MRSC Guidance for CARES Act Grants to Small Businesses

August 5, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: COVID-19

This blog provides resources, samples, and suggestions for a basic approach to establishing a local small business financial assistance grant program using CARES Act funds.