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Focus Archive - October 2004

Please note that Focus section links were valid at the time of their original posting. However, since Web sites and addresses change frequently, we cannot guarantee that all links will remain operative.

Are State and Local Revenue Systems Becoming Obsolete? (October 26)
A recent report from the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, Are State and Local Revenue Systems Becoming Obsolete? (Adobe Acrobat Document1863kb) assesses the current and future viability of state and local revenue systems to meet service demands.

NLC Report Looks at Factors Affecting Poverty in America’s Cities (October 26)
A new report by NLC, "Trends, Policies and Economic Conditions Affecting Poverty in America’s Cities and Towns: A Discussion Paper," (Adobe Acrobat Document190kb) looks at some of the key economic and demographic trends and policy decisions that may be changing the picture of poverty at the local level.

Online Auctions Help Sell Surplus Property (October 26)
Like many other local governments, Franklin County, Ohio, officials were attracted to online auctions because they can reach a large number of potential buyers and can cost less than traditional live auctions. More from American City & County.

County Officials can Help Ease Anxiety over Flu Vaccine Shortage (October 26)
County officials, as leaders in their communities, can ease fears and help make sure flu vaccine gets to the people who need it the most. More from NACo’s County News.

Economic Development Challenged in High Court (October 26)
The use of tax incentives to lure business and industry and the power of eminent domain – tools long used by state and local governments to spur economic development – are under attack in two separate cases in the federal courts. More from NACo’s County News.

The Golden Door… (October 26)
Quick. Name the two most international cities in North America. Time’s up. Nope, not New York City. Nope, not San Francisco. More from Next Generation Consulting.

Smart City - What Makes a Great Mayor? (October 26)
The latest Smart City™ radio show features a discussion with the editor and publisher of citymayors.com about what makes a great mayor.

Small Towns, Big Ideas (October 26)
When it comes to paying for costly government services, a little creativity goes a long way. More from American City & County.

Marketing the Smaller Police Agency (October 26)
Proactive steps by the police department's leadership are necessary to make the public aware of the department's good work and to improve the department's image in the community. More from The Police Chief.

420 Million: America’s New Population Boom (October 26)
By 2050, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 420 million people will live here, 140 million more than in 2000. Is the country prepared for adding 50 percent more people in 50 years? Hardly. More from the Michigan Land Institute.

White Paper - Motorized Foot Scooters (October 20)
A recent white paper from Feet First, "Motorized Foot Scooters and the Pedestrian Environment," (Adobe Acrobat Document423kb) reviews the definition of a "motorized foot scooter," describes the issues surrounding their use, and identifies regulatory strategies that respond to the issues.

Local- State Partnership Project Improves Access to Human Services (October 20)
The state Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) recently announced an innovative partnership with nearly 30 local human service organizations that work with families in Whatcom County, helping them to connect with appropriate resources. More from DSHS.

Access to Social Services: The Changing Urban Geography of Poverty (October 20)
The shifting geography of concentrated poverty, and the transformation of governmental assistance from cash to services, increases the importance of the location of social services facilities. More from the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program.

Pulling Apart: Economic Segregation in Suburbs and Cities (October 20)
A new analysis of census data finds that economic segregation among municipalities is rising, but trends vary significantly across time and in different regions of the country. More from the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program.

Turnaround Town – How Delray Beach Saved Itself (October 20)
The small South Florida city of Delray Beach has created a whole new philosophy of local government, based on neighborhood decision-making, shared responsibility and intense citizen involvement. More from Civic Strategies.

Locals Risk Lawsuits over Church Zoning (October 20)
Noncompliance with state and federal laws about zoning of religious land use can prove to be costly for local governments. More from American City & County.

The Location of Homelessness (October 20)
Despite the dispersion of homelessness in the 1990s, critical mass homeless neighborhoods are still found largely in struggling central city locales. More from the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program.

Youth Referral System (October 20)
Law enforcement, social services agencies, community-based organizations, and schools all can play a role in helping a young person to develop and keep from entering the juvenile justice systems. More from The Police Chief.

November Ballot Questions Hold Promise or Challenge for Counties (October 20)
This November, according to Initiative & Referendum Institute at the University of Southern California, voters will decide 162 state ballot measures in 34 states. More from NACo’s County News.

City Leaves IT Infrastructure Maintenance to a Private Firm (October 20)
In January 2003, Minneapolis contracted with a private-sector information technology company to manage its IT infrastructure and provide 24-hour support for employees and residents. More from American City & County.

Smart City - Affordable Housing and Schools that Work (October 12)
Two of the most intractable problems in urban America involve schools and housing. The latest Smart City™ radio show features a discussion about how to change urban neighborhoods with affordable housing and schools that work.

Display Your POW/MIA Flags on Veterans' Day (October 12)
Remember to display the National League of POW/MIA Families' flag on Veterans' Day, November 11. RCW 1.20.017 requires the state and every county, city, and town to display the POW/MIA flag along with the state and national flags "upon or near its principal buildings" on six different days during the year.

E-Gov - Bypassing the Revolution (October 12)
Do you ever wonder what happened to the e-gov revolution? Hundreds of thousands of government transactions now take place routinely online. But that’s a far cry from a revolution in government performance. More from Governing.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Graphic Details (October 12)
A data-rich Web site that displays GIS-generated maps is now an essential tool for cities seeking to recruit new business. More from Governing.

ESA Hatchery Listing Policy Comment Period Extended (October 12)
In response to a request from Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, NOAA Fisheries is extending the comment periods to November 12, 2004 for its proposed Endagered Species Act (ESA) hatchery listing policy and proposed listing determinations for West Coast salmon and steelhead. More from NOAA.

Economic Development - The Panacea Patrol (October 12)
A fresh idea about how to stimulate local economies by catering to the needs of the so-called "creative class" is fueling a debate about whether it can solve all problems. More from Governing.

Solid Waste Services: Playing for Keeps (October 12)
Competition isn't just for private contractors anymore. While many communities have privatized sanitation services, others have allowed their own departments to bid for contracts, or, in some cases, unprivatize and re-establish their in-house operations. More from American City & County.

Snow Days (October 12)
While winter storms might give school kids a break, they also load extra work on public works crews that have to keep roads clear for motorists. More from American City & County.

Web Sightings - Elections (October 12)
The election season is upon us. Take a look at some of MRSC’s favorite links to election information – for Washington State and beyond:

Washington State Information:

Selected Washington counties elections links:

General U.S. Elections:

Related topics:

  • FactCheck.org - Annenberg’s political fact-checking resource
  • Polling Report.com - resource on trends in American public opinion
  • Ballotwatch - a comprehensive collection of international, and statewide initiatives, referendums and recalls (provided by Initiative & Referendum Institute at the University of Southern California)

Implicit Price Deflator (IPD) Increase (October 06)
The IPD Increase from July 2003 to July 2004 Is 2.387 Percent. This means, for most jurisdictions, the maximum allowable levy increase for 2005 is 1 percent of the 2004 levy (plus taxes on new construction and the change in the value of state-assessed utility property). More…

PDC Guidelines - Local Government Agencies in Election Campaigns (October 06)
The Washington Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) recently released their new Guidelines for Local Government Agencies in Election Campaigns (Adobe Acrobat Document330kb).

Proposed USERRA Rules (October 06)
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued proposed rules to implement the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended (USERRA). Comments are due by November 19, 2004.

Build Up Your People (October 06)
Praise is infinitely more productive than punishment. But how many managers give this fact more than lip service? How many really live it? Not enough. More from PM Magazine.

Washington’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $7.35 an Hour (October 06)
Washington’s minimum wage will increase 19 cents to $7.35 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2005. More from the Department of Labor and Industries.

Budgeting for Outcomes (October 06)
Budgeting for outcomes turns the traditional budget process on its head, shifting the focus from cuts to keeps. The city of Spokane and Snohomish County have both embraced budgeting for outcomes. The State of Washington is now completing its second budget using these principles. More from Public Finance Review. (Adobe Acrobat Document2120kb)

Two-Thirds Believe American Dream Harder to Achieve (October 06)
Two-thirds of the American people say the American Dream is becoming harder to achieve, and they point to financial insecurity and poor quality public education as the most significant barriers, according to a new survey released by the National League of Cities. More from Nation’s Cities Weekly.

Smart City - Trendspotters (October 06)
Is it possible to predict the future? Maybe not, but a growing number of people are trying. The latest Smart City™ radio show features a discussion about trends and how to spot them.

Project Management for Planners – Getting Your Act Together (October 06)
Project management has been described as organized common sense, but it really goes beyond that. It requires a particular set of skills that people who are good technically don't always have. More from Planning Magazine.

Seniors & the City (October 06)
Affluent, educated retirees are forfeiting a regular tee time in favor of loft living, opera tickets and bistros. More from Newsweek.

Cities and Counties in the News (October)
Here are the latest news clippings from around the state highlighting current events, trends and other news affecting Washington city and county governments: