2022 Legislation Impacting Public Works Contracting

April 28, 2022 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

SB 5693 includes funding for a new partnership between MRSC and the Washington Procurement and Technical Assistance Center to bring expanded training, outreach, and technical assistance on public works contracting for  Washington local governments. 

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A How-To Guide to Sponsoring Summer Celebrations

April 26, 2022 by MRSC Insight
Category: Streets and Sidewalks , Gift of Public Funds

Summer is coming and with it, the possibility of public celebrations! But a local government should plan carefully to both make the event a success and be sure that it does not unintentionally violate the constitutional gift of public funds prohibition. 

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Using Affordable Housing Overlay Zones to Reduce the Risk of Displacement

April 21, 2022 by Steve Butler
Category: Housing

Increased zoning can sometimes result in gentrification of a community and the displacement of vulnerable populations. Affordable housing overlay zoning is a tool that can help to increase density without triggering the unintended consequences of gentrification and displacement.

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Tapping the Power of Emerging Leaders for Climate Resilience

April 19, 2022 by Kif Scheuer
Category: Climate Change , Leadership , Guest Author

CivicSpark is a service program that pairs talented young adult Fellows with local governments, state agencies, Tribes, and nonprofits to tackle climate-related projects, research, and programs. It is expanding to Washington State and accepting applications for the 2022-23 year. 

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For Local Fireworks Regulations, Timing is Everything

April 14, 2022 by MRSC Insight
Category: Licensing and Regulation

This blog covers the basics of when and how cities and counties may restrict the sale and/or use of fireworks within their boundaries.

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Anacortes is Getting Housing Done

April 11, 2022 by Ryan Walters
Category: Housing , Guest Author

Written by guest author and Anacortes city councilmember Ryan Walters, this blog discusses how the city reworked its development codes to encourage new affordable housing developments, and how it was able to take advantage of SHB 1406 to fund these efforts. 

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Can We Spend Lodging Tax Funds on That?

April 7, 2022 by Eric Lowell
Category: Lodging Tax (Hotel-Motel Tax)

MRSC frequently receives inquiries from local governments asking if a proposed use of lodging tax funds is allowable. Take our short quiz to test your knowledge!

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Municipal Regulation of Residential Tenancies

April 4, 2022 by Oskar Rey
Category: Housing

Some cities and counties have enacted tenant protection measures to help renters adversely impacted by the state's booming real estate market. This blog looks at how the courts have ruled in terms of challenges to similar regulations instituted by the City of Seattle. 

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