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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for December 2025

November 2025 Ballot Measures: Counties and Special Purpose Districts

December 17, 2025  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  County Officials ,  Port Districts ,  Fire Protection ,  Parks and Recreation Districts ,  Ballot Measures ,  Special Districts ,  Property Taxes ,  Sales and Use Taxes

Levy lid lifts, bond measures, sales taxes, charter amendments, and a ban on cannabis sales and production:These and more were proposed county and/or special purpose district ballot measures voters tackled in the November 2025 general election. 

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A voter putting their ballot into a mailbox

November 2025 Ballot Measures: Cities and Towns

December 15, 2025  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  Public Safety and Welfare ,  Annexation ,  Parks and Recreation Finance ,  Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Programs ,  Transportation Finance ,  Licensing and Regulation ,  Ballot Measures ,  Business Licenses and Taxes ,  Property Taxes ,  City and Town Officials

A large number of city/town public safety local ballot measures appeared in the 2025 November general election, alongside those for transportation and parks and rec programs. Also appearing were a few charter amendments, citizens initiatives, and advisory votes. 

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Yes, You Can! Revitalizing Downtowns Through Brownfields Cleanup and Reuse

December 10, 2025  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Development Types ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

Brownfields are properties that may have environmental contamination, which can hamper private development, depress property values, or present health hazards. Redevelopment of such properties has also spurred economic development efforts in Spokane, Port Orchard, and elsewhere.

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Keeping the Faith: Undue Hardship as Applied to Religious Accommodation Requests

December 8, 2025  by  Harry Boesche
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Personnel Policies

When reviewing religious-based accommodation requests in the workplace, the courts have applied two principles: whether the request is supported by a bona fide religious belief, and whether the request will pose an undue hardship for the employer. 

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Floor Area Ratio: What It Is and How Local Governments Can Use It

December 3, 2025  by  Noal Leonetti ,  Abby Newbold
Category:  Guest Author ,  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Housing ,  Transportation and Land Use

Regulations addressing floor area ratio (FAR) can help cities build density and give developers more options. Passed in 2025, HB 1491 requires certain cities use FAR when setting density standards near high-capacity transit stations for rail and/or bus.

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Keeping the Faith: Religious Accommodation and the Public Agency Employer

December 1, 2025  by  Harry Boesche
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Personnel Policies

Employers are required by both state and federal law to offer religious accommodations to employees who request them based on a bona fide religious belief. What type of accommodations might an employer offer and must they approve all employee requests? 

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