MRSC Insight Blog

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MRSC Insight Blog

Posts by Linda Gallagher

Vaccine Mandates: Accommodating Disability and Religious Belief Exemptions

October 11, 2021 by Linda Gallagher
Category: COVID-19

At this point in the pandemic, vaccine mandates of some form can be found at the national, state, and local levels. For those employees seeking exemptions from the mandate, what is the process employers must undergo to review and possibly accommodate such requests?

Redistricting and the 2020 Census

August 30, 2021 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections , Tax and Population Data

Local governments using a district-based voting system must begin the process of redistricting in response to the 2020 Census, although a delay in distribution of this data also means new redistricting deadlines.

2021: New Election Laws

July 8, 2021 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog summarizes five new laws relating to elections from the 2021 legislative session.

Election Season Tips & Reminders

June 1, 2021 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections

This blog highlights some of MRSC’s guidance about participating in elections — as a candidate, a local government employee, or an observer.

Roles and Responsibilities: Questions and Answers

April 5, 2021 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials , Administrative and Elected Officials-County

This blog explores frequently asked questions related to roles and responsibilities of elected officials versus local government staff.

Who’s the Boss? Separation of Powers in Local Government

February 18, 2021 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials

This blog post discusses the importance of the roles and responsibilities of elected and appointed officials working together in local governments.

Social Equity in Cannabis Program

December 7, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Marijuana , New Legislation and Regulations , Inclusive Communities

This blog post offers an overview of E2SHB 2870, 2020 legislation creating a social equity in cannabis program for Washington State.

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.

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.

MRSC Guidance for CARES Act Grants to Small Businesses

August 5, 2020 by Linda Gallagher , Toni Nelson
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.

Elections – What’s New in 2020

June 18, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post looks at election-related legislation passed during the Washington State Legislature's 2020 Regular Session.

Sharing is Caring: The Federal CARES Act and Local Governments

May 7, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Revenues , COVID-19

This article provides an overview of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act as it applies to the needs of local governments.

New Federal Laws Support Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 3, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Leave Policies , COVID-19

This blog looks at resources that can help a local government provide financial support for employees, including the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Local Breed-Specific Dog Bans Now Need a Good Behavior Exception

February 10, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Animal Control

This blog post explores a new law that requires any local breed-specific dog regulations include a good behavior exemption.

New Court Case About Mandatory Subjects of Collective Bargaining

December 16, 2019 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Collective Bargaining

A recent ruling by the Washington Court of Appeals, Division I, looks at whether shift staffing may be considered a mandatory or permissive subject of collective bargaining.

Election Season Has Arrived - Here's How to Do the Right Thing

September 3, 2019 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections

The election season has arrived in Washington State, and with it, many questions on what is and is not legal during campaigns. This blog post reviews a host of topics, from the prohibition on the use of public resources to where (and how) to hold candidate forums.

Seven New Election Laws Promote Citizen Participation, Increase Transparency

July 3, 2019 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post covers seven new election-related laws that promote transparency in the process and candidate funding, as well as make it easier for Washington State citizens to participate in local, state, and federal elections.

Natural Composting of Human Remains - A First for Washington State

May 23, 2019 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Cemeteries

ESSB 5001 allows natural composting of human remains as an option to cremation services and traditional burials. This blog post provides an overview of the bill and the processes now allowed by it.

Running for Office? Thinking About It . . .

April 3, 2019 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials

Whether you would be a first-time candidate or are already an elected official, the decision to run for election or reelection involves many factors. This blog post covers the basics.

Cannabis Laws – What’s New?

February 8, 2019 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Marijuana , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post offers 10 things to know about what's new with the cannabis industry from the perspective of local, state, and federal government.

New Laws Change Rules for Service Animals

December 18, 2018 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Animal Control , New Legislation and Regulations

SHB 2822 amends the Washington Law Against Discrimination in order to reduce and prevent both the intentional and mistaken misrepresentation of pets and other animals as service animals when they are not.

A Summary of New Laws Addressing Elections in Washington State

November 1, 2018 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post summarizes six new election laws passed during the 2018 legislative session.

New Laws Address Collective Bargaining

September 21, 2018 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Collective Bargaining , New Legislation and Regulations

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

The Janus SCOTUS Decision: More Questions Than Answers

July 19, 2018 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Collective Bargaining

MRSC Legal Consultant Linda Gallagher looks at the recent US Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME and provides some advice to local govenments in Washington State to ensure they are operating in compliance with the new requirements.

WVRA: To Change or Not to Change?

May 25, 2018 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections

The new Washington Voting Rights Act (WVRA) gives most municipalities the authority to change their election systems to remedy potential issues relating to equal voting opportunities for members of certain protected classes. This blog answers some common questions MRSC has gotten about the WRVA.

The Future of Voting in Washington

March 29, 2018 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections

With the Voting Rights Act of 2018, Washington State took a step towards ensuring the right to vote for all Washingtonians, especially those in certain protected classes. Legal Consultant Linda Gallagher provides an overview.

ADR? What’s That?

February 15, 2018 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Management

Alternative Dispute Resolution offers methods that are considered “alternatives” to litigation, the traditional — and often expensive — form of dispute resolution. In this post Legal Consultant Linda Gallagher discusses two ADR methods: arbitration and mediation.