MRSC Insight Blog

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MRSC Insight Blog

Recent Posts

Streamlining Meetings Through the Consent Agenda

August 2, 2021 by WMCA
Category:

The blog offers an overview of consent agendas and how some Washington local governments are using this tool.

2022 Budget Suggestions Is Here!

July 29, 2021 by Eric Lowell
Category: Budgets and Budgeting

MRSC has published the 78th edition of Budget Suggestions, a publication that offers a wide variety of finance-related information to help cities and counties develop their 2022 budgets.

Disaster Zone: Heat Waves in the Pacific Northwest

July 26, 2021 by Eric Holdeman
Category: Climate Change , Emergency Management , Guest Author

Heatwaves in the Pacific Northwest? This blog looks at a possible future where this is the norm, not the exception.

Legislative Changes in 2021 for Public Works Contracting

July 22, 2021 by Judy Isaac
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog covers several new laws and amendments made to existing laws that relate to public works contracting.

State Legislature Expands Municipal Authority to Provide Broadband, but to What Extent?

July 19, 2021 by Oskar Rey
Category: Telecommunications , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog provides an overview of recent legislation meant to expand the availability of municipally supplied broadband in Washington.

MRSC Tackles Big Challenges Through Its Local Climate Response Project

July 15, 2021 by Tracy Burrows
Category: Climate Change , MRSC News and Updates

MRSC is launching the Local Climate Response Project this month to help local governments protect the health and economic vitality of their communities.

An Overview of New Personnel-Related Bills Adopted in the 2021 Regular Legislative Session

July 12, 2021 by Flannary Collins
Category: Personnel Policies , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog provides an overview of leave-related bills as well as a new state holiday passed during the 2021 regular legislative session.

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.

Byron Katsuyama Retires: Thanks for the Privilege of Serving Washington Local Governments for 43 Years

July 6, 2021 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: MRSC News and Updates

After a long and fruitful career at MRSC, Public Policy Consultant Byron Katsuyama is retiring.

Washington State Reopening: Where Things Stand as of June 30, 2021

July 1, 2021 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: COVID-19

The much-anticipated reopening of the state has begun. Here is an overview of guidance surrounding public meetings, physical distancing requirements, masks, and more.

Changing Your Zoning Code to Accommodate Housing and Shelters for the Homeless

June 29, 2021 by Steve Butler
Category: Development Regulations and Zoning , Homelessness

This blog provides and overview and guidance regarding E2SHB 1220, which encourages local governments to take active steps to accommodate transitional housing, emergency shelters, and similar facilities via zoning and regulatory updates.

COVID-19: Where Things Stand as of June 24, 2021

June 24, 2021 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Utilities - Billing and Collection , Operating Policies , COVID-19

Washington is just days away from the much-anticipated June 30 reopening, and the state is in the process of updating many of its guidance documents. This blog post sets forth our understanding of where things stand now and what things may look like starting June 30.

MRSC Welcomes New Public Policy Consultant Lisa Pool

June 24, 2021 by Lisa Pool
Category: MRSC News and Updates

Formerly a senior planner with the City of Bellingham, Lisa Pool has joined MRSC as the new Public Policy Consultant.

Holding Two Public Offices: The Doctrine of Incompatible Offices

June 21, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Incompatible Offices

This blog looks at how to determine if a person can hold two public offices simultaneously.

Historic Bill Focuses on Wildfire Prevention, Forest Reclamation

June 17, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Forests and Trees , Emergency Management , Fire Protection

This blog looks at 2SHB 1168, which will increase spending on wildland fire prevention and response activities by $125 million over the next two years and up to $328 million by 2027.