MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for COVID-19

Emergency Powers in Washington State, Post COVID-19

April 3, 2023 by Steve Gross
Category: COVID-19 , Emergency Management

During the COVID-19 pandemic local governments operated under a series of emergency orders, some of which drew legal challenges. As these proclamations have ended, now is a good time to look at what happened to the challenges, and how (or if) they affected emergency powers.

Governor Inslee Ends the COVID-19 Emergency

November 2, 2022 by Flannary Collins
Category: COVID-19

The governor officially terminated all remaining proclamations effective at 11:59 PM on October 31. The new documents confirm what we wrote previously, but this article provides a few small clarifications regarding vaccination requirements, face masks, and reporting/notification.

Washington’s COVID-19 State of Emergency Ends October 31: What Does this Mean for Local Governments?

October 6, 2022 by Flannary Collins
Category: COVID-19 , Open Public Meetings Act

Washington's state of emergency and remaining emergency proclamations related to the COVID-19 pandemic are scheduled to be lifted on October 31, 2022. What impact will this have on open public meetings, vaccine mandates, and requirements related to masking and disease tracking?

Continued Use of the Public Right-of-Way for Outside Dining

May 12, 2022 by Steve Butler
Category: COVID-19 , Streets and Sidewalks

This blog examines the key components of local parklet/streatery programs that were established during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and how Washington’s local governments are now evaluating the future of those programs.

Pierce County Offers a Model for Distributing Pandemic-Related Assistance Funding

January 31, 2022 by Leah LaCivita
Category: COVID-19 , Revenues

With just three staff, the Pierce County’s Rental & Utility Assistance Program has distributed $59,100 in overdue rental payments and $14,800 in utility payments to needy households since late 2020. This blog looks at how the program works and what makes it successful.

Treasury Releases Final Rule on American Rescue Plan Fiscal Recovery Funds

January 24, 2022 by Eric Lowell
Category: COVID-19 , Federal Funding

Local governments seeking guidance on how to use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) now have an answer in the recently released Final Rule from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Supreme Court Issues First Opinions on Federal COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

January 18, 2022 by Steve Gross
Category: COVID-19 , Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Operating Policies , Personnel Policies

The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily stopped the implementation and enforcement of a federal rule calling for large U.S. employers to require employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. Following the decision, OSHA withdrew the proposed rule.

Vaccine Mandates: Accommodating Disability and Religious Belief Exemptions

October 11, 2021 by Linda Gallagher
Category: COVID-19

At this point in the pandemic, vaccine mandates of some form can be found at the national, state, and local levels. For those employees seeking exemptions from the mandate, what is the process employers must undergo to review and possibly accommodate such requests?

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in the Local Government Workplace

August 11, 2021 by Flannary Collins
Category: COVID-19 , Personnel Policies

This blog post looks at the legal authority for government employers to require employees to be vaccinated, as well as the main issues to consider before establishing a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination program.

Employee Bonuses and the COVID-19 Pandemic

June 10, 2021 by Oskar Rey
Category: COVID-19 , Compensation

This blog considers whether local governments may give bonuses to employees for working through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaccine Incentive Policies in the Local Government Workplace

June 2, 2021 by Flannary Collins
Category: COVID-19 , Operating Policies

This blog looks at considerations around vaccine incentive policies in the local government workplace.

Countering Racial Bias and Harassment Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

March 22, 2021 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: COVID-19 , Inclusive Communities

This blog post looks at how local governments can counter racial bias and harassment that's arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Caring for the Homeless Challenged by Winter Weather, COVID-19

January 25, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: COVID-19 , Homelessness

This blog post looks at how local governments are providing for the homeless, despite the twin challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and winter weather.

Disaster Zone: COVID After-Action Reports

January 11, 2021 by Eric Holdeman
Category: Guest Author , COVID-19 , Emergency Management

This blog looks at the role of the after-action response in disaster planning and offers shared after-action insights local governments are finding in their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trial by Zoom: Using Online Platforms in Administrative Proceedings, Trials, and Oral Arguments

December 28, 2020 by Clara Park
Category: Guest Author , Courts and Criminal Justice System , COVID-19 , Land Use Administration

This blog post discusses the current state of virtual proceedings and offers pointers for anyone navigating the shift from in-person to virtual proceedings.

Protecting Public Works Projects from COVID-19 Economic Impacts

December 11, 2020 by Lane Powell
Category: Guest Author , Administration , COVID-19

This blog post reviews how local governments can protect public works projects from COVID-19-related economic impacts.

Six-County Pilot Program to Help with Eviction Backlog

November 25, 2020 by Leah LaCivita
Category: COVID-19 , Housing

This blog covers the pilot Eviction Resolution Program, a court-based approach to resolve more eviction-related cases before a landlord has the need to file an unlawful detainer action.

COVID-19 Pandemic Makes Economic Development More Important Than Ever

November 19, 2020 by Steve Butler
Category: COVID-19 , Economic Development

This blog looks at what activities local governments can undertake to assist local businesses.

Encouraging Small-Scale Manufacturing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

September 25, 2020 by Steve Butler
Category: COVID-19 , Economic Development

This blog post looks at small-scale manufacturing, its role in a strong local economy, and how local governments can encourage the growth of these critical businesses.

Keeping People Housed: Homelessness Prevention Strategies to Bridge Emergencies

September 10, 2020 by Laura Crandall
Category: COVID-19 , Housing , Homelessness

This blog post identifies root cause contributors to homelessness and details a variety of prevention strategies for local governments.

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