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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for September 2026

Finding Our North Star: Skagit County’s Call to Action on Housing

September 21, 2026  by  Ryan Walters
Category:  Guest Author ,  Housing ,  Homelessness ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Can Washington’s housing crisis be solved when cities act together? Under the North Star initiative, Skagit County and its largest cities want to boost regional housing by adopting recommended development measures and tools, such as 'by-right' permitting.

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2026 Transportation Safety Laws Touch on E-Bikes, E-Motos, and Crash Prevention

September 16, 2026  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Cycling and Walking ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Traffic Regulation and Enforcement ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Two bills from the 2026 legislative session reflect two parallel transportation priorities: reducing fatalities on dangerous roads and distinguishing between e-bikes and higher-powered e-motos. Both will help to create safer roads across Washington.

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Why Good Leaders Must Also Be Good Followers

September 14, 2026  by  Deborah Knight
Category:  Guest Author ,  Leadership and Management

What makes a good leader? The ability to simply direct others? Or is it about knowing when to also step aside? In local government, better outcomes depend on people throughout the agency sharing responsibility for the mission, regardless of what role they find themselves in. 

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Public Works Requirements for Tenant Improvements on Agency-Owned Property

September 9, 2026  by  Josh Klika
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

If a local government is leasing or renting property to a tenant and the tenant plans to make improvements to the property, do public works requirements apply such as competitive bidding and prevailing wages? The answer can be a gray area and depends on several factors.

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How Regional Collaboration Can Help Local Governments Rethink Capacity and Deliver Climate Action

September 8, 2026  by  Ria Bhatnagar
Category:  Guest Author ,  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Interlocal Cooperation

Limited staff time and a lack of technical expertise can present challenges for local governments trying to translate climate-related policies into action, particularly for agencies with no dedicated climate staff. However, regional collaborations can help move projects forward.

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ADA Website Guidance: Lessons From Puyallup's Accessibility Planning

September 2, 2026  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Americans with Disabilities Act ,  Information Technology

If the City of Puyallup's experience is any lesson, meeting the new ADA requirements for accessible digital content is likely to involve a host of activities, from reviewing documents to understanding vendor relationships.

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