MRSC Insight Blog

About Our Blog Our Authors Our Advisors

MRSC Insight Blog

Recent Posts

Strategies for Managing Difficult Public Meetings and Hearings

December 3, 2020 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: Public Participation , Legislative Body

This blog offers some steps you can take before, during, and after difficult public meetings and public hearings to make them less stressful and more productive for everyone.

Taking the Oath of Office During a Pandemic

November 30, 2020 by Sarah Doar
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials , COVID-19

This blog post considers the options available to administer and take the oath of office during a pandemic.

Six-County Pilot Program to Help with Eviction Backlog

November 25, 2020 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Housing , COVID-19

This blog covers the pilot Eviction Resolution Program, a court-based approach to resolve more eviction-related cases before a landlord has the need to file an unlawful detainer action.

What Constitutes a Serial Meeting under the OPMA?

November 23, 2020 by Oskar Rey
Category: Open Public Meetings Act

This blog reviews what is considered a "serial" meeting under the Open Public Meetings Act and how governing bodies, now using a variety of communication options, can avoid violating the Act.

COVID-19 Pandemic Makes Economic Development More Important Than Ever

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

This blog looks at what activities local governments can undertake to assist local businesses.

Making Local Government Holiday Observances More Inclusive

November 16, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Inclusive Communities

This blog looks at how municipalities can tie their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts into winter holiday observances.

Ballot Measure Results from the 2020 General Election

November 12, 2020 by Steve Hawley
Category: Elections , Parks and Recreation Finance , Fire Protection , Law Enforcement , Transportation Finance , Forms of Government-County

This blog post recaps some of the local ballot measure results from the November 2020 general election and discusses why the record-breaking turnout may make ballot measure validation tougher next year.

Disaster Zone: Public Warning Systems

November 6, 2020 by Eric Holdeman
Category: Emergency Management

This blog post provides a brief overview of a variety of hazard warning systems available to local governments.

New Economic Development Tool Promotes Clean Energy, Resilience Improvements (Part 1)

November 2, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Strategies and Programs

This blog summarizes the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resilience (C-PACER) program, which offers resources for qualifying energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and resiliency improvements for buildings.

Promising Practices for Washington Local Governments: October 2020

October 29, 2020 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: Strategies and Programs , Law Enforcement

This post highlights promising practices in revitalizing downtown cores, reimagining the functions of law enforcement, and paperless approval processes.

What Does the New Robert’s Rules Mean for You?

October 28, 2020 by Ann G. Macfarlane
Category: Legislative Body , Council-Commission Advisor

From guest author and Professional Registered Parliamentarian Ann Macfarlane, this blog post looks at the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.

Voting Rights and the Election

October 26, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections

This blog discusses a number of elements of Washington State elections that help keep them secure and accessible for everyone.

Details of a Public Works Bid

October 22, 2020 by Judy Isaac
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

This blog post covers some regulations and typical details that make up a public works bid.

Farewell to MRSC’s Public Policy Consultant and Finance Analyst, Laura Crandall

October 21, 2020 by Byron Katsuyama
Category:

Best wishes to Laura Crandall, MRSC's former Public Policy Consultant and Finance Analyst, as she begins a new chapter with Seattle University.

Allegations and the PRA: Navigating the Disclosure of Internal Investigations

October 19, 2020 by Sarah Doar
Category: Public Records Act

This blog post looks at questions that might arise when a request is made for a public record pertaining to the internal investigation of an employee.

Washington Supreme Court Finds I-976 Unconstitutional

October 16, 2020 by Oskar Rey
Category: Revenues , Court Decisions and AGO Opinions

This blog provides a brief overview of a recent Washington Supreme Court ruling striking down I-976.

A Refresher on the Gift of Public Funds

October 15, 2020 by Oskar Rey
Category: Gift of Public Funds

This blog provides on overview of the state's prohibition on gifts of public funds for local governments and elected officials, including tips on avoiding violations of the prohibition.

Regulating Non-Commercial Temporary Signs During Election Season

October 14, 2020 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Elections , Sign Control

This blog post provides a brief refresher on how a jurisdiction may regulate temporary, campaign-related signs in a post-Reed v. Gilbert environment.

COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Local Government Workplace

October 12, 2020 by Flannary Collins
Category: Personnel , COVID-19

This blog article offers an overview of the legal considerations local governments must review when determining whether or not to require compulsory COVID-19 vaccinations before employees may return to work.