Legislative records exemption on the clock
The state Sunshine Committee may finally take action at its meeting next Monday on the issue of legislative records and the public records act. Here is the draft agenda. Additional information here:...
View ArticlePDC holds work session on enforcing open government laws
An all-star panel participated in a Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) work session today discussing how the public records and open meetings acts should be enforced. Joining the PDC Commissioners on...
View ArticleOpen Government Task Force Members
State Auditor Brian Sonntag announced yesterday he is creating an Open Government Task Force with Attorney General Rob McKenna. The purpose of the new Task Force is to study and make recommendations on...
View ArticleSunshine Committee votes to repeal legislative records exemption
At long last the state Sunshine Committee voted to repeal the Legislature's exemption from the public records act. Committee Chair Tom Carr originally proposed the resolution on March 18. By a 8 to 1...
View ArticleSenator challenges press on public records exemption
Yesterday the state Sunshine Committee voted 8-1 to recommend the Legislature repeal its exemption to the public records act for legislative records. State legislators are currently the only officials...
View ArticleFederal transparency bill moves step closer to floor vote
Earlier this year Washington Congressman Brian Baird (D) introduced a resolution calling for a 72-hour review period on legislation before a vote could be taken. Baird's House Resolution 554 is...
View ArticleOpen Government Task Force Meeting October 5
The Open Government Task Force created by State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Attorney General Rob McKenna will hold the first of two meetings on October 5. According to the Task Force's website: The...
View ArticleState Auditor & Attorney General: We need a better way to enforce open...
The Open Government Task Force created by State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Attorney General Rob McKenna met this morning to discuss alternative ways to enforce the state's open government laws....
View ArticleSunshine Committee recommends sunset review for new records exemptions
The state Sunshine Committee this morning unanimously adopted a recommendation that any new exemptions from public disclosure undergo a sunset review. Here is the recommendation as adopted by the...
View ArticleSupreme Court rules judiciary not subject to public records act
In a 7-2 ruling this morning (includes one concurring opinion), the state Supreme Court declared that judicial records are not subject to disclosure under the public records act. Writing for the...
View Article9th Circuit Court of Appeals orders release of R-71 petitions
The Ninth Circuit Federal Appeals Court has ruled for Secretary of State Sam Reed in the dispute whether or not to release the R-71 petitions in response to a public records request. Here is the...
View ArticleOpen Government Task Force Meeting Nov. 2
The Open Government Task Force created by State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Attorney General Rob McKenna will have its final meeting on November 2 to vote on recommendations to improve enforcement of the...
View ArticleState Auditor's Office reviews its performance measures
The State Auditor's Office (SAO) acts as the eyes of citizens to help ensure state and local governments are operating in an accountable, transparent and effective manner. To help lead by example,...
View ArticleElection week begins
For most voters across the nation today is Election Day. In Washington State, however, today marks the beginning of election week(s) and the possibility for some close races, election month. In most...
View ArticlePublic records reform introduced
The recommendations of State Auditor Brian Sonntag's and Attorney General Rob McKenna's Open Government Task Force have taken bill form. HB 2736 and SB 6383 (Establishing the office of open records)...
View ArticleWill sun set on Sunshine Committee?
The House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs heard public testimony this morning on HB 2617: Eliminating certain boards and commissions. Among the boards targeted for elimination is the...
View ArticleLegislative transparency takes a beating
The Legislature's commitment to transparency is taking a serious beating. Consider the handling of these bills: HB 2872: Establishing a period of public and legislative review of appropriations...
View ArticleWhat does legislative transparency look like?
Earlier today we highlighted a troubling trend of the legislature moving away from transparency. One of the examples we highlighted was SB 6853: Relating to creating the legislative review of tax...
View ArticleConstitutional Sunshine
With National Sunshine Week (March 14-20) less than a month away, it's not too early to think about the reforms needed to make the legislative process more transparent. Whether it's the failure to...
View ArticleLaws enacted by voters need more protections
Yesterday Governor Gregoire enacted a 2-year repeal of many of Initiative 960's provisions. While this is not the first time a voter approved initiative has been changed, it represents the third time...
View Article
