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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for July 2026

To Protect Communities, Washington Towns and Cities Ban Crypto Kiosks

July 22, 2026  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Law Enforcement

The Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 13,400 reports of crypto-kiosk-related fraud in 2025, with losses exceeding $388 million nationwide. As concern about this threat grows, some local governments are looking for ways to protect vulnerable community members.  

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New Elections Laws Passed in 2026

July 20, 2026  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Recent changes to elections law from the 2026 legislative session include requiring county auditors to regularly reach out to tribes, placing requirements on voter registration challenges, protecting data in the state’s voter registration data, and expanding the WVRA.

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Local Governments See Updates to Sales Taxes and Other Revenues After 2026 Legislative Session

July 15, 2026  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  New Legislation and Regulations ,  Sales and Use Taxes

HB 2442, the ‘fiscal flexibility’ bill, made a number of changes to local government revenues—including creating a new sales tax authority and modifying other sales taxes, property taxes, and real estate excise taxes (REET).

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2026 Legislation Addressing Individual Protections at Work, in Public Records, and in Public Safety

July 14, 2026  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Courts and Criminal Justice System ,  Public Records Act ,  Law Enforcement ,  Personnel Policies ,  Recruitment and Hiring ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Bills from the 2026 legislative session included several that increased protections for individuals in their interactions with employers, public agencies, and officials, from pregnant and post-partum employees on the job to transgender and intersex individuals in jail settings.

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Before the First Planning Session: Laying the Foundation for Successful Strategic Planning

July 9, 2026  by  Una McAlinden
Category:  Guest Author ,  Leadership and Management

Successful strategic planning involves forethought and planning regarding who should be involved in the process and where the organization stands at present, as well as an acknowledgment of why the organization feels the need to undertake the process at present. 

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The Devil Is In The Details: Contract Review Tips and Tricks

July 6, 2026  by  Julie Nicoll
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  Public Records Act

Contract review is an essential part of government operations. Without a thorough contract review process, key language may be missing and can lead to potential liability and future legal disputes. A contract review checklist can help with the process. 

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