MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for March 2022

A Primer on Safe Parking Programs for People Experiencing Homelessness

March 31, 2022 by Lisa Pool
Category: Homelessness

Safe parking programs are operated on behalf of people who use a vehicle as their residence. They give users a sense of security while also connecting them to critical human and social services.

Salaries for Elected Officials

March 28, 2022 by MRSC Insight
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials , Administrative and Elected Officials-County

This blog discusses how salaries are set for elected officials, how salaries can be changed, and whether an official can request not to be paid.

The OPMA Gets an Update from the Legislature

March 24, 2022 by Flannary Collins
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , New Legislation and Regulations

The 2022 legislative session made changes to the Open Public Meetings Act, some of which take effect immediately and others not until June. This blog looks at new requirements about physical location, special meeting notice, and public comment and clarifies the effective dates.

Statewide Mask Mandate Lifted

March 21, 2022 by Linda Gallagher
Category: COVID-19

Governor Inslee has lifted Washington's statewide mask mandate. This blog looks at where masks are still required, what happens next, and how local governments may be impacted.

Local Governments Take Innovative Approaches To Prepare For Electric Vehicles

March 17, 2022 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Climate Change , Energy Resources and Conservation

As electric vehicle use increases across Washington State, local governments are looking at ways to support, and even encourage, their use.

Adverse Employment Action for Employee Social Media Use: Balancing First Amendment Rights and Governmental Efficiency

March 14, 2022 by Rachel Bender Turpin
Category: Guest Author , Social Media

Private companies can discipline or fire employees for offensive personal social media posts. However public employers cannot retaliate against their employees in the same way due to First Amendment rights to free speech. This blog shows how the courts weigh this tension.

The ABCs of Piggybacking

March 10, 2022 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , Interlocal Cooperation

Piggybacking allows an agency to use another agency's contract to procure products, services, and public works. However, contracts should be carefully reviewed to make sure these are adaptable and beneficial and to ensure the procurement process was compliant with the law.

New Recording and Disclosure Requirements for Certain Law Enforcement Interrogations

March 7, 2022 by Steve Gross
Category: Law Enforcement Records Disclosure

Beginning this year, law enforcement agencies in Washington now must meet new recording requirements for certain interrogations as well as new retention requirements for digital records.

Balance of Power Struggles in City Government

March 3, 2022 by MRSC Insight
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials

This blog touches on common struggles between executive and legislative branches of city government and provides insight on how to handle these.

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