The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides protection to and opportunity for free speech in public forums, and the public meeting of a governing body (e.g., county board, city council) is ...

Below are selected “Ask MRSC” inquiries we have received from local governments throughout Washington State related to utilities and telecommunications. Click on any question to see the answer. These ...

For those new to local government in Washington, it can be easy to focus on the statutory deadlines for adopting next year’s ...

Washington State has seen a major push to update local comprehensive (comp) plans, with revisions to development regulations and procedures necessary to implement the new policies. Local governments ...

Washington is home to approximately 130 data centers, 10th-highest of any US state. As proposals for large data centers continue to increase, Washington local governments face major policy challenges.

This page contains information to help public agencies in Washington State adopt a small works roster process, including explaining what a roster is, which agencies are eligible, the statewide small ...

Tax increment financing (TIF) has been used by local governments across the country as a funding mechanism for public improvements to spur economic development, particularly in struggling downtown ...

Editor's note: Since the publication of this blog, the Drug Enforcement Administration issued Schedules of Controlled Substance: Temporary Placement of 7-Hydroxymitragynine Above a Specified Threshold ...

Agency use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) is on the rise. ALPRs can be an effective investigative and enforcement tool given their ability to quickly capture and transmit vehicle data to ...

It may have been a ’short’ legislative session, but that does not mean it was slow! There are many legislative changes impacting local governments, but today I’m starting with HB 2442—what has been ...

Sauna in Bellingham’s Bloedel-Donovan Park. Photo provided courtesy of the author. As Pacific Northwesterners look for relief from dark, rainy winters, mobile saunas have found a natural home in city ...

Local government officials sometimes discover they have made procedural errors in assuming office—perhaps because of a missed or unfiled oath, an improperly timed appointment, or a residency issue ...