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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for August 2025

Public Defense Standards Are Changing: Part 2

August 28, 2025  by  Oskar Rey ,  Drew T. Pollom
Category:  Guest Author ,  Courts and Criminal Justice System ,  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions

In 2024, the Washington State Bar Association adopted revised standards related to caseload limits and other elements of public defense service. A recent state supreme court interim order impacts these standards. What do local governments need to know moving forward?

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Legal Requirements for Hosting Government Open Houses or Coffee Chats

August 25, 2025  by  Julie Nicoll
Category:  Gift of Public Funds ,  Open Public Meetings Act ,  Public Records Act ,  Public Participation

Local governments should ensure open houses follow public meeting laws, agency policies, and rules on food, space use, and public spending.

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Beyond Salaries: Alternatives for Engaging Local Government Workers

August 20, 2025  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Compensation ,  Personnel Policies

Across sectors in the United States, employee engagement remains low. This blog explores non-monetary strategies for local governments to boost workforce motivation, productivity, and commitment.

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New Elections Laws Passed in 2025

August 18, 2025  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  New Legislation and Regulations ,  Elections and Voting

Several election-related laws were passed in 2025, all of which were designed to improve the security of the election system and the reliability of voter data across the state. 

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How Sustainable Landscaping Boosts Local Climate Resilience

August 13, 2025  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Climate and Sustainability

Local governments can boost climate resilience by adopting sustainable landscaping strategies like using green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff, installing drought-resistant landscaping, or planting wildfire-resistant trees, plants, and shrubs in fire-prone areas.

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Rolling Rules: How Washington Local Governments Influence Food Cart Operations

August 11, 2025  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Licensing and Regulation

Food carts offer mobile vendors a low-cost, low-barrier way to enter into the food business. How can Washington local governments balance public health, safety, and local planning needs while also encouraging mobile food entrepreneurship? 

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2025 Legislation Affecting Local Government Planning

August 5, 2025  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Administration ,  Parking ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Housing ,  Transportation and Land Use ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Several bills from 2025 will impact local government planning, addressing topics as diverse as periodic update deadlines, local parking requirements, and historic landmark property designation.

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Eating on the Go: Regulating Food Trucks

August 4, 2025  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Licensing and Regulation

Food trucks have gained in popularity over the years: What options do local jurisdictions have in determining how, where, when, and under what conditions food trucks can be operated within their communities?

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