Winter is just around the corner, which means freezing temperatures.  Check your buildings, including any vacant buildings, to make sure there is enough heat to prevent pipes from freezing. Pipes can freeze wherever they are exposed to cold air, even in buildings with insulation.  Pipes that are under sinks and enclosed in a cabinet have the potential to freeze as the heat may not reach the pipes.

Interim Update

Following the adjournment of the 2019 Legislature in April, attention has focused primarily on Governor Inslee’s presidential campaign, as well as the House Democrats’ decision on who would succeed Frank Chopp (D-43, Seattle) as Speaker of the House.  A handful of other changes at the Legislature have also occurred.

Governor & Statewide Elected Office News

The first major domino has fallen as Governor Inslee has given up his presidential campaign and will be running for Governor a third time.  With the decision, many top-level Democrats will remain in their current positions rather than challenging the incumbent Governor.  State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has pivoted to running for re-election as AG...

Auditor Pat McCarthy notified local governments of a coming adjustment to the hourly local audit billing rate.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, the local audit billing rate will be $113, due largely to significant salary increases that­­­ have affected all state employees.

The state Legislature in recent years has been increasing salaries for state employees, including those who work for the Office of the Washington State Auditor. Calendar year 2019 alone has seen a 5% increase for all employees. Additionally, another 3% adjustment goes into effect in July 2020.

Legislation regarding the definition of personal information and the revision of data breach notifications was recently passed into law as part of House Bill 1071. The amendments will take effect on March 1, 2020.