The public can see what the government wants them to see.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington Legislature has overwhelmingly approved legislation meant to circumvent a recent court ruling that found state lawmakers were fully subject to the state’s public disclosure laws.
The measure passed the Senate on a 41-7 vote Friday, and then was quickly approved by the House 83-14. The bill heads to Gov. Jay Inslee with a veto-proof margin.
The quick action comes just two days after the bill was introduced. The measure would retroactively remove the legislative branch from the state’s voter-approved Public Records Act so that lawmakers would be able to shield records sought by a coalition of media groups, led by The Associated Press, who prevailed in court last month.
Only four lawmakers spoke during the brief debates in both chambers, all saying that the measure was meant to increase transparency.
The bill, co-sponsored by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Sharon Nelson and Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Schoesler, would allow release of some lawmaker correspondence, including those with lobbyists; information from lawmaker calendars; and final disciplinary reports beginning on July 1. However, because of the retroactivity language, it would prohibit the release of the records being sought by the coalition of news organizations that sued last September.
“This bill is a significant and major step forward for the people of Washington and this institution as we step into the sunlight, requiring what I believe are the most important disclosures for the people of Washington to hold their elected representatives accountable,” said Democratic Rep. Gerry Pollet.