MRSC Insight Blog

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Use Of Public Facilities for Campaign Elections - 2021 General Election Edition

September 27, 2021 by Steve Gross
Category: Elections

Local governments have many questions involving how, when, and in what context public facilities can be used during campaign season. This blog covers some common questions, from political buttons and signs to what (exactly) counts as a public facility.

Shake It Up: Local Governments and Earthquake Preparedness

September 23, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Emergency Management

We live in an earthquake-prone state. What can local governments do to better prepare their agency's response, as well as public resilience, for such an emergency?

An Update on the Long-Term Care Trust Act

September 20, 2021 by Flannary Collins
Category: Compensation , Legislation

As of January 2022, employees will begin paying into the state's long-term care insurance benefit, but local governments still have a lot of questions, such as how to handle premiums and program eligibility.

Tax Increment Financing Now Available to Some Washington Local Governments

September 16, 2021 by Eric Lowell
Category: Finance , Public Works Finance , New Legislation and Regulations

In an effort to help local governments spur economic development in stagnant communities, the legislature passed HB 1189 early this year, which authorizes the use of tax increment financing for cities, towns, counties, and port districts.

City of Seattle v. Long: Vehicle Homestead Rights and Excessive Fines

September 13, 2021 by Oskar Rey
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Homelessness

Seattle v. Long challenged long-held practices regarding parking enforcement. The Washington Supreme Court finally issued its ruling on the case, expanding the circumstances under which fines may be challenged as excessive and clarifying how homestead rights apply to vehicles.

2021 Climate-Related Legislative Outcomes

September 10, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Climate Change , New Legislation and Regulations

As Washington State looks to become carbon neutral by 2050, the 2021 legislative session produced several bills that will facilitate the state's efforts.

Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What?

September 7, 2021 by Steve Gross
Category: Utilities - Billing and Collection , COVID-19

With the expiration of Governor Inslee's moratorium on utility shutoff drawing near, local governments are wondering what comes next.

An Emerging Issue: Robot Delivery Devices May Be Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

September 2, 2021 by Nick Fisher
Category: Streets and Sidewalks , Cycling and Walking , Guest Author

Coming soon: delivery by robot! While the state offers some guidance on safety requirements and where these devices can operate, local governments will need to consider creating their own regulations, including where device storage units can be located.

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.

Non-Traditional Approaches Used by Local Governments to Address Homelessness

August 26, 2021 by Emma Diamond , Justin Sharer
Category: Homelessness , Guest Author

This blog looks at municipal programs that use hotels and motels to provide temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness.

Face Coverings and Vaccine Requirements: Where Things Stand as of August 23, 2021

August 24, 2021 by Sarah Doar , Steve Gross
Category: Operating Policies , COVID-19

This blog covers the latest state-issued face mask requirements, new vaccination requirements for education/childcare staff (including youth parks and recreation programs), and clarifications to existing provisions such as vaccine requirements for law enforcement and contractors.

Regulating Signs During Election Season

August 19, 2021 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Elections , Sign Control

This blog will touch on some frequently asked questions regarding the regulation of political signage.

2021 Housing and Planning-Related Legislative Outcomes

August 16, 2021 by Lisa Pool
Category: Housing , Impact Fees , New Legislation and Regulations , Homelessness

This blog post summarizes several housing and planning-related bills that were passed during the 2021 legislative session.

On-Road ATV Use Broadened Slightly In 2021

August 12, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Traffic Regulation and Enforcement , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog offers an update on the use and regulation of ATVs on public roads, including an overview of two bills from 2021 impacting ATV use and licensure.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in the Local Government Workplace

August 11, 2021 by Flannary Collins
Category: Personnel Policies , COVID-19

This blog post looks at the legal authority for government employers to require employees to be vaccinated, as well as the main issues to consider before establishing a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination program.

Legislation Aimed at Counties Impacts Coroners, Operational Continuity

August 9, 2021 by Steve Gross
Category: Emergency Management , New Legislation and Regulations , Administrative and Elected Officials-County

This blog offers an overview of two recent bills that affect county officers: ESHB 1326 and EHB 1271.

Emergency Rule Protects Outdoor Workers from Wildfire Smoke

August 5, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Fire Protection , New Legislation and Regulations , Operating Policies

This blog provides an overview of a new rule meant to protect workers from the harms of excessive exposure to wildfire smoke.

Streamlining Meetings Through the Consent Agenda

August 2, 2021 by WMCA
Category: Legislative Body

This 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.