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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for April 2026

Harassment of Public Employees and Officials: What Can Local Governments Do?

April 22, 2026  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Personnel Policies ,  Elected and Appointed Officials

Local government staff or elected officials may find themselves on the receiving end of harassing behavior by members of the public. What strategies can local agencies implement to maintain safe, respectful, and functional workplaces?

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Closing the Blinds: New Public Records Act Exemption Limits Disclosure of ALPR Data

April 20, 2026  by  Sarah Doar
Category:  New Legislation and Regulations ,  Law Enforcement Records Disclosure

After many months of wondering how to handle records requests for Automated License Plate Reader data, local governments now have some (but not all!) answers in how to balance privacy interests and stay in compliance with the Public Records Act.

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Significant Changes Coming to Levy Lid Lifts in 2026

April 15, 2026  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  New Legislation and Regulations ,  Property Taxes

The 101% levy lid restricts local property taxes, but taxing districts can increase property tax revenues through voter-approved levy lid lifts. Starting July 1, HB 2442—the “fiscal flexibility” bill—makes important changes to both single-year and multi-year levy lid lifts.

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Point of Order and Appeal Are the Heart of Democracy

April 13, 2026  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

What are the motions of Point of Order and Appeal in Robert’s Rules of Order, and how (or why) would a member of a council, commission, or board use these motions during a meeting of the governing body?

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Employment Law Q&A: What Local Government Employers Need to Know

April 8, 2026  by  Flannary Collins
Category:  Administration and Management ,  Compensation ,  Leave Policies ,  Recruitment and Hiring ,  Termination and Retirement

What must Washington local governments know at each stage of employment? What are the rules for job postings, comp time, benefits, leave, discipline, Loudermill rights, etc. when hiring, managing, and separating employees?

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No More Pennies for Your Thoughts

April 6, 2026  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  Accounting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

After the U.S. Department of the Treasury stopped printing pennies in November 2025, many had questions about how this would impact cash transactions. New guidance and recent state-based legislation addresses how cash transactions can be properly rounded up or down. 

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