Note: Some of the information on this archival Web page may no longer be current.
Focus - March 1999
Sign Our Guestbook
If you haven't had a chance to sign our guestbook yet, please take a minute to say hello and tell us what you think of our Web site. We appreciate the feedback and rely on your opinions to guide us in making improvements to this site.
Inquiry of the Week
This week's "Inquiry of the Week":
[Previous inquiries of the week]
FEMA's Project Impact
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Project Impact - Building a Disaster Resistant Community, is changing the way America deals with disasters. Project Impact helps communities protect themselves from the devastating effects of natural disasters by taking actions that dramatically reduce disruption and loss.
More Capacity = Fewer "Server Busy" Messages
Previously, only ten people could search MRSC's online databases (WAC, RCW, municipal codes, Y2K, etc.) at the same time. We've purchased several additional licenses that will now allow up to 25 concurrent users. This should greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the "server busy" message which some have received when trying to open these databases.
AGO - Proper Calculation - Military Leave
The Attorney General's Office recently issued an opinion answering the following question: "How should the use of military leave (as provided in RCW 38.40.060) be calculated for employees with non-traditional work-hour patterns, such as firefighters who work 24-hour shifts?" The opinion (AGO 1999 No. 2) concludes that employees with non-traditional work schedules may use their military leave at different rates from employees who work a traditional week of five eight-hour days.
Track State Legislation
The Washington State Legisltature's home page includes links to bill information, legislative calendars, House and Senate member directories (with E-mail addresses), committees, and other useful information.
Best of the Web 1998
Pennsylvania and Indianapolis lead the nation in Government Technology's Third Annual Best of the Web contest. Seattle's Web site shared second place with Chicago.
Web Sightings - Government Search Sites
This month we've selected several sites that specialize in searching for government information:
- Find-It Washington -This
Washington State Library site, a project of the Government Information Locator
Service, is a great way to find government information in Washington State.
- GPO Access - This U.S.
government site provides access to a wide variety of governmental databases
including the U.S. Budget, congressional bills, the Code of Federal Regulations,
public laws, Supreme Court decisions, the U.S. Code and much more.
- National Association of Counties - has
a rich array of resources. The "About Counties" section includes county data,
codes and ordinance, and model county programs. Program sections contain extensive
information on community and Economic development and environmental issues.
- University of California's Infomine - This UC library site has a government information page with searching and browsing features. The emphasis is on State of California and federal government information.
Selected New MRSC Library Materials
Browse through a selected list of new MRSC Library materials (listed by subject). The list includes new library books, videos, articles, government publications, and more.
Get MRSC Web Site Updates by E-mail
You can get a monthly e-mail notifying you of selected updates to MRSC's Web site by subscribing to the mrscweb mailing list (listserv). Simply type: subscribe mrscweb your name in the body of the message, and press "send" (leave the subject line blank). You may have your name removed from the list at any time by following the directions in the welcome message you will receive after subscribing.
Unlike most listservs, mrscweb is not a discussion list to which all subscribers may post messages, but a free subscription to a monthly notice updating you on major changes and additions to the MRSC Web site. If you have questions about this listserv, please contact Terri Sanders, MRSC Information Services Technician, at tsanders@mrsc.org.