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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for May 2026

Your Comp Plan Is Not Your Strategic Plan: Here's Why That Matters

May 18, 2026  by  Una McAlinden
Category:  Guest Author ,  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management

Your agency has just finished a comprehensive plan, so it doesn't need a strategic plan, right? Not so fast, those two plans answer fundamentally different questions and neither should be used as a substitute for the other.

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Five Approaches to Attract More People to Your Downtown

May 13, 2026  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

Clean and safe sidewalks, the presence of public seating, and appealing open public gathering spaces are just a few factors that can help a downtown draw in visitors and serve as a positive centerpiece for the entire community. 

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In the Absence of State Regulation, Local Governments Look to Restrict Kratom

May 11, 2026  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Legislative Body ,  Drug Possession and Use

A few cities in Washington State have banned the sale and distribution of Kratom, and others may be considering it. What is Kratom, how is it distributed, and why would a local government want to regulate it?

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Expanded Housing Options for Counties Thanks to Two 2026 Bills

May 6, 2026  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Housing ,  Rural Uses ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Two new bills make it easier to develop more affordable housing options in rural areas of counties while also protecting rural character and natural resources. Counties should work to ensure that this new housing serves long-term and not short-term rental needs.

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Opening Your Meeting: Prayers, Pledges, and Land Acknowledgements

May 4, 2026  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Legislative Body

Whether to begin a public meeting with an invocation, land acknowledgment, or the Pledge of Allegiance is a matter of local policy. Agencies should also follow best practices to integrate the action into meeting procedures and ensure that participation is voluntary.

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