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Posts for Linda Gallagher

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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The De Facto Officer Doctrine: Protecting Local Governments and the Public

March 16, 2026  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Elected and Appointed Officials

What happens if an elected official made a procedural error in assuming office? How does this impact the actions they have taken or decisions they have participated in? Fortunately, the de facto officer doctrine provides some protection for local governments and the public.

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Staying in Office: Tips for Elected Officials

January 6, 2026  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Newly Elected and Appointed Officials

You've been elected, congratulations! As you begin this journey, here are some resources you may want to check out regarding the statutory requirements for elected officials in Washington State.

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Options to Reduce Personnel Expenses During Uncertain Budget Times

October 15, 2025  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Budgets and Budgeting ,  Termination and Retirement

What can a public employer do to cut costs when faced with an uncertain budget? While employee salaries and benefits make up a good portion of the budget, employers can implement a number of options, some of which preserve existing staff while also resulting in cost savings.

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New Elections Laws Passed in 2025

August 18, 2025  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  New Legislation and Regulations ,  Elections and Voting

Several election-related laws were passed in 2025, all of which were designed to improve the security of the election system and the reliability of voter data across the state. 

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Behind Closed Doors: Recent Cases Address Requirements for Executive Sessions During Special Meetings

May 13, 2025  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Open Public Meetings Act

Two recent court cases have revolved around the requirements under the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) for executive sessions during special meetings, offering local governments tips on how to avoid violating the OPMA. 

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Running for Local Office? Filing Week Begins May 5

March 10, 2025  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Running for Office

In a change from past years, the filing period for anyone wishing to run for local elected office in Washington State is May 5-9. Though this is not the only change impacting local elections, it is one of the more significant. 

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Building Bridges, Not Walls: Conflict Resolution Tools

December 30, 2024  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Administration and Management ,  Inclusive Communities

While workplace conflict is unavoidable for a variety of reasons, there are many tools teams and individuals can use to navigate challenges more constructively, and to end with results that promote reconciliation rather than reinforce divisions.

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How Cities and Towns Acquire Legal Services

October 28, 2024  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  City and Town Officials

Cities and towns all need legal services for many reasons. What are the options for selecting and retaining city or town attorneys, as well as the roles of the council and the mayor or city/town manager in this process?

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Building Trust: Effective Tools for Local Government

August 12, 2024  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Leadership and Management ,  Inclusive Communities ,  Public Participation

Building trust with community members can be accomplished in many ways, and Washington local governments have implemented innovative strategies to increase transparency, build relationships with diverse communities, and demonstrate responsiveness to community needs. 

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Election ballot, pin, and button

New Elections Laws Passed in 2024

May 28, 2024  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  New Legislation and Regulations ,  Elections and Voting

In 2024 the legislature passed new bills related to elections integrity, including some that address election worker safety, improve the ballot review and voter verification process, and ease the ability for a voter to move their official address from one county to another.

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a hand turning a dial to maximum 'trust'

Building Trust During Polarizing Times

February 5, 2024  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Inclusive Communities ,  Public Participation

Distrust, misinformation, and polarization seem to be growing at the national and local levels. How can local government build trust to help dispel misinformation, reduce polarization, increase engagement, and maintain a healthy, engaged democracy?

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A snow tractor plowing a small town street

New Law Doubles Limits for Municipal Officers’ Beneficial Interest in Contracts with Their Agency

December 11, 2023  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

A 2023 bill made changes to the state's Code of Ethics for Municipal Officers, doubling the size of allowed contracts for elected officials with certain public agencies while also reducing the population limits for towns and cities from 10,000 to under 5,000.

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New Elections Laws Passed in 2023

July 17, 2023  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  New Legislation and Regulations ,  Elections and Voting

The state legislature adopted several new election laws this year regarding the candidate filing period, voter registration, records of future voters under the age of 18, and the Washington Voting Rights Act.

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A crowd is gathered and sitting on the grass while a band plays in a covered area at the Seattle Center

Summer Festivals and Risk Management

April 17, 2023  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Emergency Management ,  Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Programs ,  Special Events

Summer festivals are a great way for local governments to bring people together but agencies should first undertake a variety of risk management steps to protect attendees, ensure smooth and efficient event operations, and make room for improvements for the following year.

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New Legal Requirements for Job Postings

January 17, 2023  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Compensation ,  Recruitment and Hiring

Beginning January 1, 2023, public and private employers in Washington State with 15 or more employees are now required to include compensation and benefits information in job postings.

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New Law Requires Compost Procurement Ordinances by January 1, 2023

November 29, 2022  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  Purchasing and Contracting

A new state law covering organic materials management requires compost procurement ordinances for certain cities, towns, and counties by January 1, 2023. These ordinances must set forth how compost will be procured, purchased, and incorporated into applicable projects.

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Elections Integrity and Security: Part 2

October 3, 2022  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections and Voting

In the second part of our series on election security measures, we look at how elections offices verify and tabulate votes to ensure a complete result, and under what conditions and how a recount happens.

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A voter putting their ballot into a mailbox

Elections Integrity and Security: Part 1

September 26, 2022  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections and Voting

Free, fair, and accurate elections are a hallmark of our democratic system. Washington State has enacted a number of measures to protect each person’s right to vote and to ensure that elections statewide are safe and secure.

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Closed Captioning: A Language Access Tool

August 16, 2022  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Inclusive Communities ,  New Legislation and Regulations

SB 5027, which passed during the 2021 legislative session, requires closed captioning be used on televisions in public places, including in local government-owned facilities, when the technology is available.

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