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Posts for Leah LaCivita

Checking the Trash: Catching Public Records Requests Sent to Junk Email Folders

June 2, 2025  by  Sarah Doar ,  Steve Gross ,  Steve Hawley ,  Leah LaCivita ,  Maria Tobin
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Public Records Act

If a records request gets lost in the junk email folder, an agency might not respond timely to the request, potentially leading to a PRA lawsuit. These are real fears for an agency, but steps can be taken to make sure emailed requests are not lost or misdirected.

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Nurse Navigator Programs Help Address 911 Overuse

May 19, 2025  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Emergency Medical Services

Some 911 systems have implemented a program to better manage low-acuity, non-emergency calls, which can free up dispatches and first responders for handling life-threatening emergencies. 

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Building Trust and Transparency in Local Government Through Citizen Academies

March 24, 2025  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Public Participation

Local governments interested in increasing transparency and building trust with the community may want to consider developing a community academy. Such programs can show participants how local decisions are made, where public funds are spent, and how they can get more involved. 

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Can AI Support Good Government? Some Pilot Programs Suggest Yes

January 15, 2025  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Information Technology

State and local governments in Washington State and elsewhere are using AI to manage traffic control, improve emergency response, analyze law enforcement training, model foot traffic, prevent homelessness, and detect wildfires, among other things. 

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MRSC logo with 90th anniversary language

MRSC's 90th Anniversary Celebration: How Local Governments, Partners Helped MRSC Through Challenging Times

July 24, 2024  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  MRSC News and Updates

MRSC is celebrating 90 years of providing trusted guidance to Washington local governments, but not without encountering a few bumps along the way. Thanks to the dogged support of local governments and institutional partners, we've weathered these bumps and come out stronger. 

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A woman sits on a bench in the hot sun

Adapting to Extreme Heat: Can Cities Prepare for a Hotter Future?

May 15, 2024  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change

Global temperatures are projected to warm by 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050, raising the risk for heat-related illness and death to occur. Some cities and counties are making plans to keep communities safe and taking action to mitigate heat-related impacts.

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Local Water Systems Grapple with 'Forever Chemicals'

March 14, 2024  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Water Resources ,  Water Utilities

Forever chemicals, or PFAS, have been detected in water systems across the state thanks to mandatory testing requirements that began in 2023. What are local agencies doing on both a short-term and long-term basis to address the problem?

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Wildfire under an electrical transmission line in a forested area

State-Based Efforts, Legislation Boost Local Risk Reduction, Resiliency to Wildfires

August 8, 2023  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Emergency Management ,  Forests and Trees ,  Fire Protection ,  Utilities ,  New Legislation and Regulations

With wildfire season underway, local governments should be aware of bills passed during the 2023 Regular Legislative Session addressing wildfire events and proposed permanent rules to protect outdoor workers from wildfire smoke.

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A thermometer showing a temperature of 100+ against a background of an urban street

Protecting Communities When the Heat Is On

May 10, 2023  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  Inclusive Communities

How can local agencies prepare for extreme heat events, including protecting those populations most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and death? By looking carefully at how heat impacts various neighborhoods, an agency can take a variety of approaches to maximize services. 

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An EMS personnel helping an older resident with medication in a home-based setting

Fire Departments Expand Services to Reach 911 Frequent Callers

March 15, 2023  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Emergency Medical Services

With a goal of reducing non-emergency calls to 911 and limiting costly, unnecessary trips to the emergency room, several fire departments in Washington State have begun mobile health programs that provide coordinated follow-up care to patients after a 911 response has occurred. 

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An image of 3 people at a recycling center sorting out types of recycled material

Local Governments Pursue Zero-Waste Measures

February 1, 2023  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  Utilities

Zero-waste measures for local governments run the gamut from multi-year materials management projects to consumer education on how to recycle or compost properly. The end goals are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and responsibly manage public resources.

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Local Governments Prepare for Broadband Expansion

December 19, 2022  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Telecommunications ,  Federal Funding

With potential new sources of funding to support the expansion of reliable broadband services, local governments across Washington are busy building partnerships, identifying un- and underserved areas, and planning equitable deployment strategies to reach all communities.

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New Legislation, Guidance Targets a Green Energy Future in Washington

August 22, 2022  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  Energy Resources and Conservation ,  New Legislation and Regulations

In a push to carbon neutrality, Washington State agencies and the legislature have put in place laws and mandates designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings, invest in transportation alternatives, reduce waste, and expedite the approval of green energy projects.  

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Fire Season Brings Renewal of Certain Worker Protections, More Action, and Funding

July 6, 2022  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Administration ,  Emergency Management ,  Fire Protection

Temporary rules are in place to protect outdoor workers from excessive heat or hazardous air quality. Meanwhile, some local governments are adopting provisions of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code, and state and federal governments are boosting firefighting efforts.

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Making Government Work Attractive

June 23, 2022  by  Tracy Burrows ,  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Administration and Management

How can local governments build a strong workplace culture that engages current staff and attracts new workers? Here are some ideas, including a case study from the City of Issaquah.

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Local Governments Take Innovative Approaches To Prepare For Electric Vehicles

March 17, 2022  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  Energy Resources and Conservation

As electric vehicle use increases across Washington State, local governments are looking at ways to support, and even encourage, their use.

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Pierce County Offers a Model for Distributing Pandemic-Related Assistance Funding

January 31, 2022  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  COVID-19 ,  Revenues

With just three staff, the Pierce County’s Rental & Utility Assistance Program has distributed $59,100 in overdue rental payments and $14,800 in utility payments to needy households since late 2020. This blog looks at how the program works and what makes it successful. 

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Investing in Equity To Prepare for Environmental Challenges

January 6, 2022  by  Tracy Burrows ,  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  Inclusive Communities

Some Washington local governments have placed equity front and center when preparing for the impacts of climate change. This blog looks at efforts in Lakewood and Shoreline.

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More Climate-Related Legislation for 2021

October 14, 2021  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  New Legislation and Regulations

The 2021 legislative session produced several bills on issues related to the changing climate. This blog discusses a few, including bills that focus on reducing pollution statewide, encouraging alternative fuel use, and promoting greener commuting options. 

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2021 Climate-Related Legislative Outcomes

September 10, 2021  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  New Legislation and Regulations

As Washington State looks to become carbon neutral by 2050, the 2021 legislative session produced several bills that will facilitate the state's efforts. 

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