
Focus Archive by Subject or Month | MRSC Updates by E-mail
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Free on Friday (Dec 18)
Whether it’s to save energy or lure young workers, states and localities are testing the four-day work week. More from Governing.
Web Sightings – Transportation Planning (Dec 18)
This month we’ve selected sites and organizations from the vast array of resources that can help counties and cities prepare regional and local transportation plans.
Law Enforcement Looks to Video Surveillance Networks (Dec 18)
2008 may have been The Year of the Large-Scale Wireless Video Surveillance System, as several cities and their police departments joined the growing market, while others expanded existing systems. More from Government Technology.
The Role of Leadership in Building High-Performing Organizations (Dec 18)
Despite the current economic situation, all is not doom and gloom for public-sector managers. There is an alternative to slashing services, laying off employees, and raising fees. More from Government Finance Review.
Welcome Home Soldier (Dec 18)
Local agencies team up to help wounded war veterans to heal. More from Parks & Recreation.
The Role of Transit in Emergency Evacuation (Dec 18)
A new publication from the Transportation Research Board, The Role of Transit in Emergency Evacuation (pdf 3.35MB), explores the roles that transit systems can play in accommodating the evacuation, egress, and ingress of people from and to critical
locations in times of emergency.
For Modern Urban Growth, Don't Forget the Ballpark and River Walk (Dec 18)
Can urban amenities -- like ballparks, aquariums and river walks -- help stabilize U.S. cities and improve their economic outlooks? More from Knowledge@Wharton.
Bloggerly Love (Dec 18)
Techies and their interactive tools may be the way to lure tourists to local fairs and state parks. More from Governing.
EPA gives more Policy-Making Voice to Local Governments (Dec 18)
State and local governments will have more involvement in developing federal environmental rules thanks to a new EPA policy that broadens the agency’s consulting efforts. More from NACo's County News.
Cities Take Action on Poverty (Dec 18)
Recent reports from city officials indicate a growing array of responses to the needs of low-income families. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.
Smart City - Christmas in the City (Dec 18)
This week Smart City kick starts the holiday season with a program about celebrating the holidays in an urban environment.
A Few Good Sets of 2006 RCWs Available from MRSC (Nov 13)
We've replaced our 2006 RCWs with new 2008 editions and have 12 complete sets of the old 2006 editions (along with the 2007 supplements) to give away. If your city hall or county courthouse could use a set of pre-owned 2006 RCWs, contact Erica Zwick, MRSC Technical Services Librarian, who will be happy to mail you a set, while our limited supply lasts.
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Here are the latest local and national news clippings highlighting current events, trends and other news affecting Washington city and county governments and special districts:
Washington News links:
- County suggests that city operate fair (Enumclaw Courier Herald, December 17, 2008)
- Gang violence in Federal Way and King County: Technology to the rescue (Federal Way Mirror, December 17, 2008)
- Tacoma City Council OKs budget with pay increase (Tacoma News Tribune, December 17, 2008)
- Bellingham City Council wants to ban guns in parks (Bellingham Herald, December 16, 2008)
- County lays off 18 employees (The Daily News, December 16, 2008)
- City Council OKs affordable-housing plan (Seattle PI, December 15, 2008)
- Court throws out city parade permit rules (Seattle PI, December 12, 2008)
Washington News Links by Subject or Month
National News Links:
- Cooperation helped Louisville clean up air (USA Today, December 16, 2008)
- City may buy vacant homes; Huntington Beach considers fixing up properties and selling them to residents (Orange County Register, December 14, 2008)
- Obama pick pioneered innovative affordable housing (USA Today, December 14, 2008)
- Quickly building local stimulus: Mayor puts public projects on faster track to prime economic pump (Denver Post, December 12, 2008)
- State orders big cuts in gases; California aims to slash greenhouse emissions 15% by 2020 with the most sweeping plan of any state (Los Angeles Times, December 12, 2008)
- Why home values may take decades to recover (USA Today, December 12, 2008)
- Innovative stormwater plan with special pavement proposed (Tribune-Review Greensburg, PA, December 12, 2008)
- Internet map aid to many (Newsday, December 11, 2008)
- DUI flashlights help fight drunken driving -- but are they legal? (Contra Costa Times, December 11, 2008)
- Cornerstone church says U.S. act exempts it from local law (Ventura County Star, December 10, 2008)
National News Links by Subject or Month
Also in Focus
- Telecoms and Advocacy Groups Unite over Broadband "Stimulus" (Dec 11)
- West Coast Estuaries Initiative for Coastal Watersheds (Dec 11)
- The Disaster Tripwire (Dec 11)
- Local Management in a Global Era (Dec 11)
- Finally a Green Light For Smart Infrastructure? (Dec 11)
- Cutting Benefits: The Wrong Way and the Right Way (Dec 11)
- New Clerk/Treasurers Reference Tool (Dec 11)
- Early Warning Signs of Revenue Problems (Dec 11)
- Going for an Upturn (Dec 11)
- Euroburbia: A Personal View (Dec 11)
- Cutting for Excellence (Dec 11)
- Can the Can (Dec 4)
- Local Management in a Global Era (Dec 4)
- Broadband makes Tiny Town an English-Teaching Hub (Dec 4)
- Return on Perception (Dec 4)
- Workers' Compensation Insurance Premiums Increasing by 3 Percent (Dec 4)
- Guide to Managing Stormwater (Dec 4)
- Dealing with Resistance (Dec 4)
- IRS Announces 2009 Standard Mileage Rates (Dec 4)
- In an Epic Fiscal Storm, New Strategies Sprout (Dec 4)
- Legislating-for-Results Municipal Action Guides (Dec 4)

