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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for September 2021

An Update on the Long-Term Care Trust Act

September 20, 2021  by  Flannary Collins
Category:  Compensation ,  New Legislation and Regulations

As of January 2022, employees will begin paying into the state's long-term care insurance benefit, but local governments still have a lot of questions, such as how to handle premiums and program eligibility.

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Tax Increment Financing Now Available to Some Washington Local Governments

September 16, 2021  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  Financing Economic Development ,  Public Works Finance ,  New Legislation and Regulations

In an effort to help local governments spur economic development in stagnant communities, the legislature passed HB 1189 early this year, which authorizes the use of tax increment financing for cities, towns, counties, and port districts.

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City of Seattle v. Long: Vehicle Homestead Rights and Excessive Fines

September 13, 2021  by  Oskar Rey
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Homelessness

Seattle v. Long challenged long-held practices regarding parking enforcement. The Washington Supreme Court finally issued its ruling on the case, expanding the circumstances under which fines may be challenged as excessive and clarifying how homestead rights apply to vehicles. 

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2021 Climate-Related Legislative Outcomes

September 10, 2021  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  New Legislation and Regulations

As Washington State looks to become carbon neutral by 2050, the 2021 legislative session produced several bills that will facilitate the state's efforts. 

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An Emerging Issue: Robot Delivery Devices May Be Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

September 2, 2021  by  Nick Fisher
Category:  Guest Author ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Streets and Sidewalks

Coming soon: delivery by robot! While the state offers some guidance on safety requirements and where these devices can operate, local governments will need to consider creating their own regulations, including where device storage units can be located.

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