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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for September 2022

Can the Mayor Take Part in Discussion?

September 28, 2022  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Forms of Government-City ,  Legislative Body

In many cities, the mayor also acts as the meeting chair. While Robert's Rules directs the chair of large groups of 12 or more members to refrain from taking part in a discussion (and focus on facilitating), these rules do not automatically apply to smaller groups.

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A voter putting their ballot into a mailbox

Elections Integrity and Security: Part 1

September 26, 2022  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections and Voting

Free, fair, and accurate elections are a hallmark of our democratic system. Washington State has enacted a number of measures to protect each person’s right to vote and to ensure that elections statewide are safe and secure.

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Equitable Community Engagement in Comprehensive Plan Updates

September 21, 2022  by  Rosie Cullen
Category:  Guest Author ,  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Inclusive Communities

Many local governments are updating their comprehensive plans, and in doing so, some are looking at how to develop intentional strategies that actively engage underrepresented communities in order to build a more equitable plan update in the process. 

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2022 Court Legislation Impacting Local Governments

September 19, 2022  by  Sarah Doar
Category:  Courts and Criminal Justice System ,  New Legislation and Regulations

A few bills from the 2022 Regular Legislative Session deal with courts in a manner that will impact local governments, including giving courts more flexibility to not impose certain legal financial obligations or to waive those obligations.  

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Increasing Local Housing Supply Through Missing Middle Housing

September 14, 2022  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Housing

Local governments seeking to expand housing options may want to consider a missing middle program that champions use of housing types which may fly under the radar, such as cottage housing, duplexes, and triplexes, alongside more trendy approaches like live-work developments. 

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U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Censuring Members of a Governing Body

September 12, 2022  by  Steve Gross
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Legislative Body

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling supports the ability of a governing body to censure one of its members if that person's action obstructs or hinders the body's ability to perform its day-to-day functions. 

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Beat the Heat with Heat Pumps

September 7, 2022  by  Lou Finazzo
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate and Sustainability

Some local governments are turning to high-efficiency, electric-powered heat pumps as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including developing programs that incentivize homeowners to install them in their place of residence. 

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Why Are There so Many Types of Cities and Counties? A Guide to Municipal Classifications and Forms of Government

September 6, 2022  by  Oskar Rey
Category:  Classification ,  Forms of Government-City ,  Forms of Government-County

Washington State has a broad array of local governments that vary in terms of classification as well as form, and these concepts highlight the parameters under which cities, towns, and counties operate and govern.

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