As the 2026 General Election gets under way, early voting begins October 16 when ballots are mailed to registered voters, and ...

Just like in other contexts, the solution to a shortage is to provide abundant supply—more home choices and options throughout our communities. Indeed, the data shows that Washington needs to add one ...

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 ...

This year the Washington State Legislature continued to consider and pass new laws intended to strengthen and protect our state’s election systems. These changes address access to elections services, ...

Below are selected “Ask MRSC” inquiries we have received from local governments throughout Washington State related to procurement, contracting, and public works. Click on any question to see the ...

Following each of MRSC's finance bootcamps, we generally get a few inquiries regarding sweeping interest, which is discussed during the investments segment of the training. For those unfamiliar with ...

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 ...

As I mentioned in PRA 2025 – A Year in Flux in January, we have been watching the progress of SB 6002 (aka “The Driver Privacy Act”) in the Washington State ...

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 ...