Note: Some of the information on this archival Web page may no longer be current.

Focus - September 2002

		The New MRSC Web Site has Launched! (September 25) MRSC has launched a new and improved version of this Web site. The changes are designed to improve usability and include a new navigation system, a new look and feel and improved search capabilities. The new site also features a "My MRSC Links" option allowing users to personalize the MRSC homepage adding links to areas of the Web site they use most often. To learn about the new features, please visit our new Help page.
		National POW/MIA Recognition Day (September 19) Friday, September 20, 2002 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Chapter 293, Laws of 2002 (SSB 5097) requires the state and every county, city, and town to display the National League of Families' POW/MIA flag along with the state and national flags "upon or near its principal buildings" on specific days: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans' Day. Be sure to fly the POW/MIA flag.
		Pipeline Safety Workshops (September 5) The Association of Washington Cities and the Washington State Association of Counties are sponsoring six half-day workshops on pipeline safety during September and October. The free workshops will be held in Olympia, Vancouver, Pasco, Spokane, Bellingham, and Bellevue.
		Washington Cities Roll Out E-Gov Services (September 4) The cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland or Mercer Island have rolled out a new electronic government service, MyBuildingPermit.com, allowing builders to apply and pay for building permits from participating cities on one site. The new service is the first product of the E-Gov Alliance, a partnership between several Washington cities working to deliver electronic government services to residents and businesses.
		Effective Communication - Budget 101 (September 4) The City of Vancouver has developed a budget information page where citizens can learn about the city's budget process, current financial situation, schedules of upcoming meetings, and offer input. The page also includes a link to four "Budget 101" lessons.
		University Place Opens an Online Community Store (September 4) University Place's Online Community Store, offers visitors a selection of University Place activewear and accessories all adorned with the city's logo. Visitors can also make online donations through the City's Tin C.U.P. Program.
		New Legislation - Disposal of Personal Information (September 4) A new law (SHB 2015, Chapter 90, Laws of 2002) requires all employers, including local governments, to take all reasonable steps to "destroy, or arrange for the destruction of, personal financial and health information, and personal identification numbers issued by government entities in an individual's records within its custody or control when the entity is disposing of records that it will no longer retain." So, it is no longer acceptable to dispose of inactive personnel files by simply placing them in a dumpster or recycle bin. They must be shredded, erased or otherwise destroyed so that they cannot be read or deciphered. "Personal information" includes: information that is identifiable to an individual, such as account numbers, access codes or passwords, credit card numbers, etc; information relating to a person's medical history or status; identification numbers issued by a government entity, such as a tax identification number, social security number, or driver's license number. This law applies to personal information recorded or preserved by any means, including electronic or digital files. Something to remember before disposing of old computers - be sure that all data, including any personal information, has been removed. Monetary penalties and attorney fees could result from an employer's failure to comply with this new law.
		Homeland Security - Lessons Learned (September 4) The National League of Cities (NLC) Working Group on Homeland Security has issued 12 lessons learned from the September 11 terrorist attacks to help guide local government preparedness efforts. More from NLC's Web site.
		It's Official! The Increase in the Implicit Price Deflator (IPD) from July 2001 to July 2002 Is 1.16 Percent (September 3) On September 3, we announced that, based on unpublished data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the increase in the implicit price deflator for personal consumption expenditures from July 2001 to July 2002 was 1.16 percent. However, the Department of Revenue does not consider this number official until it is confirmed by data published in the September 2002 issue of the Survey of Current Business (1.1 MB). That publication has taken place. (Scroll down to Table B.2) More ...
		Web Sightings (September 6) Looking for some good resources on personnel management and legal issues? Take a look at these helpful sites: Labor and Employment Publications - from Ogden Murphy Wallace's online law library Labor and Employment Law - Indiana University School of Law Library's comprehensive labor and employment law links. HRhero.com - created by M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC to help human resource professionals find quick answers to their employment law and management questions. Employment Law - Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts - A comprehensive review of legal issues generally facing government employers and specifically public hospital districts. Research in Labor and Employment Law - M.G. Gallagher Law Library, University of Washington School of Law Labor and Employment Law Resource Center - from Perkins Coie's Web site Employment Law Information Network - Employment law reference site for lawyers and human resource professionals. AHI Employment Law Resource Center - Alexander Hamilton Institute's Employment Law Resource Center and newsletter cover all aspects of employment law.