Budget Suggestions for 2008 (July 30)
MRSC's Budget Suggestions for 2008 (473 KB), MRSC Information Bulletin No. 528, is now available online.

Stormwater Management and Climate Change (July 30)
A recent article, Stormwater Management As Adaptation to Climate Change looks at some widely divergent aspects of stormwater management that are interlinked with climate change adaptation. Read the article in Stormwater, July/August 2007.

Puget Sound Region Stormwater Management Costs (July 30)
From the Water Center at the University of Washington, a Fact Sheet on Coping with stormwater—how much does it cost?

Virginia's Dangerous Dog Registry (July 23)
Virginia's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Dangerous Dog Registry is a new online service that lists dogs that have been declared dangerous by the courts. The registry site includes legislation and Virginia's regulations governing dangerous dogs, forms for use by animal control officers and owners of dangerous dogs, and the database containing the location of dangerous dogs in the Commonwealth. See also a New York Times article, States Weigh Safety With Dog Owners’ Rights.

Preparations for 2010: Is the Census Bureau Ready for the Job Ahead? (July 23)
Brooking's Metropolitan Policy Program Fellow, Andrew Reamer, emphasized the importance of the decennial Census to the nation and assessed the readiness of the federal government for the 2010 census in testimony before a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs. Read testimony. (108 KB)

Developing Existing Talent to Ensure a Future Leadership Pipeline (July 23)
What can local governments do to prepare the next generation of leaders and to develop individuals already in the leadership pipeline? Read more from ICMA.

Cities Taking Wrong Steps to Stop Gangs, Report Says (July 19)
A report of the Justice Policy Institute concludes that the billions of dollars spent on traditional gang suppression activities have failed to promote public safety and are often counterproductive. Read the Report and also see Seattle PI article Role of Seattle Police Special Unit Defended.

Official 2007 Population Figures Released by OFM (July 18)
The population figures used for distribution of state-shared revenues were released by the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) on June 27. Detailed information on population estimates for cities, towns and counties may be found on OFM's Official April 1, 2007 Population Estimates Web page.

NLC Launches Monthly Newscasts for Municipal Governments (July 16)
The National League of Cities (NLC) is launching www.nlctv.org, an Internet-based TV channel about and for cities. NLC TV is also premiering its first monthly newscast, which will showcase the latest news about cities and the views of city officials on the pressing issues of the day. Read Press Release

Web Sightings – Heritage Tourism (July 10)

MRSC Web page on Cultural and Heritage Tourism - Good starting point for information, including background resources, economic impact of cultural tourism, and local examples

General and National Resources

• Heritage Tourism, National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Cultural Heritage Tourism, Partners in Tourism, National Trust for Historic Preservation - Electronic clearinghouse for cultural heritage tourism information.
• Cultural Tourism, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies - Information on policy, practice, trends, and resources
• Cultural and Heritage Tourism Alliance - Promotes cultural tourism and integration of cultural tourism into economic development strategies through advocacy, annual conference, and other activities. This year's conference is in Seattle, Nov. 29 - Dec. 1, 2007
• Preserve America Communities and Neighborhoods - White House initiative that supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy cultural and natural heritage; now includes 500 communities.
  • Links to Washington State’s Preserve America Communities

Washington State Resources

• Tourism Development - Cultural and Heritage Tourism, Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
• Visiting Washington State's Cultural Attractions (412 KB), Washington State Arts Commission, Summer 2003
• Washington Scenic Byways, Washington State Department of Transportation

Historic Tours

• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, National Park Service
• National Register Travel Itineraries - Includes three itineraries for Washington State
• Snohomish County - Things To Do - Heritage

Home Is Where Your Work Is (July 10)
Telecommuting can be a great way to reduce pollution and traffic, decrease costs, increase productivity, boost job satisfaction and retain talent. When done right, that is, but attitudes create obstacles. Read more on telework from Governing's Managing Technology Newsletter..

Overcoming the Digital Divide to Compete in a New Economy (July 10)
A white paper, Power Up: The Campaign for Digital Inclusion, addresses how municipal governments are growing inclusive digital communities to prepare citizens for success, from Microsoft Government.

MRSC Welcomes Special Districts (July 01)
On July 1, 2007, MRSC began providing limited services to Washington's special purpose districts. In 2006, the legislature expanded the authority of the Municipal Research Council to extend services to special purpose districts (RCW 43.110.080); however, the funding provisions of the bill were not enacted. This year the legislature appropriated a small amount from the state general fund for the 2007-09 biennium to fund a limited special district program. Read more about the program.