Conclusions

Conclusion, and a Call to Action

It is time for you to be heard

By Mike Fancher

Nothing is more important to keeping government open and accountable than public activism. When the people speak resoundingly enough, politicians listen.

That was evident in 1972, when civic activists launched an open government initiative campaign. Initiative 276 passed with 72 percent approval and led to sweeping changes in the laws governing public records, meetings and political campaigns.

The theme of that campaign was People Have a Right to Know. It was true then and it is now, but the pressures against transparent government are relentless — never more so than early in 2018.

That’s when the Washington state Legislature passed a bill declaring the Public Records Act does not apply to the Legislature, its members, employees, and agencies.

Just 48 hours after the bill became public, without any open hearings or floor debate, and within minutes of each other, the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill.

The people of Washington said, “NO!”

The bill passed on a Friday night. By Monday morning the governor’s office had received hundreds of emails and phone calls urging calling for a veto. On Tuesday morning, 13 newspapers across the state published front-page editorials calling for a veto.

By Thursday, the governor had received more than 20,000 emails and calls. He vetoed the bill that evening, saying he applauded Washingtonians for making their voices heard. Nothing is more important to keeping the government open and accountable than public activism. When the people speak, politicians listen.

It is time for the people to speak resoundingly again.
It is time for you to be heard.

Make your voice heard

The Washington Coalition for Open Government is launching Your Right to Know, a movement to catalyze the public, media and politicians on behalf of open government.

The status of the Public Records Act is bad and getting worse. As this report shows:

  • The Washington Legislature undermines the PRA.
  • Public officials and agencies obstruct requesters.
  • Agencies fail to properly maintain, organize and disclose records.
  • Open government training is inadequate and often wrong.
  • The Public Records Act needs to hold officials accountable.

Please urge your elected state and local representatives to read this report, so the principles embodied in Initiative 276 can be maintained and strengthened.

Continue to follow our reporting and get involved with Your Right to Know. Here is how: