The summer newsletter shares WashCOG’s news about our 2024 special report, tracking legislation and legislators, and preparing a digital posse for the 2025 session.

WashCOG and the U.S. Government Secretariat held a listen-and-share session on July 15, 2024 that touched on both federal and local open government issues.

Seven legislators are being honored for pledging not to invoke the legally challenged “legislative privilege” excuse for refusing to disclose communications related to their duties as elected officials. WashCOG applauds their commitment to transparency and accountability.

WashCOG applauds recent legal action enforcing the state’s Public Records Act in regard to use of digital communications that are not retained — apparently through the use of Microsoft Teams by state agencies.

A Thurston County Superior Court judge is expected to rule May 24 on WashCOG’s motion to depose Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins in the Coalition’s suit challenging the legality of so-called “legislative privilege” that allows lawmakers to conceal some government records covered by the Public Records Act

A WashCPG data dive ranks agencies on how quickly they complete public records requests, declaring “Winners & Sinners” across the state for their responsiveness.

WashCOG will honor longtime access attorney Michele Earl-Hubbard, Board member and attorney Joan Mell, and journalists from acros the state for their work promoting transparency.

Sunshine Week is a national nonpartisan effort to shine a light on the value of open government and access to public records and meetings. Participating programs come from journalists, civic and government organizations and others who want to raise awareness of access issues.

Toby Nixon, a former state lawmaker and WashCOG president emeritus, has been named chair of the state’s struggling Sunshine Committee by Gov. Jay Inslee. Nixon will chair the March 12 committee meeting.

Another longtime member of the Sunshine Committee has resigned in frustration. Former state Rep. Lynn Kessler said she was tired of commttee volunteers being ignored.

A special WashCOG report released today is a call to action for civic leaders, organizations, businesses and all Washingtonians to work together to preserve the state’s Public Records Act.

2023 was a landmark year for the Washington Coalition for Open Government. We saw warning signs of eroding transparency in the state, but also the sunlight of new resources. We have additional staff, a new office and a special report on our challenges and opportunities.

The first newsletter of the year offers a variety of updates on WashCOG’s activities, including our increased presence in Olympia during the legislative session and our plans for promoting access in 2024.

Reserve your tickets now to join us at WashCOG’s annual Sunshine Breakfast honoring outstanding advocates of access. The event takes place March 15, 2024 at T-Mobile Park.

The Washington Coalition for Open Government is urging proponents of state transparency to scrutinize and speak out regarding House Bill 2307, which would impose additional steps for processing public records requests and rein in penalties and fees when an agency fails to fulfill a request.

Listen to the Sunshine Committee’s pro-transparency recommendations and to its ongoing advice, require committees to meet in public, eschew “legislative privilege” and protect the 52-year-old Public Records Act are among WashCOG’s top priorities for legislative action during the 2024 regular legislative session.

During this time of celebration and joy, please remember the coalition is still a small organization, fighting a truly David and Goliath battle on your behalf in protecting the People’s Right to Know against the unlimited resources of the government committed to darkness. With lack of transparency and darkness comes the failure of our democracy. Please help us in our fight for the United States of America here in Washington.

WashCOG is now accepting nominations until Jan. 19, 2024 for its annual Kenneth F. Bunting Award for outstanding journalism in the interest of government transparency. The Bunting Award recognizes journalists and media outlets for work that uses or advances Washington state’s open government laws, or educates citizens about them.

Entries are being accepted for WashCOG’s annual Open Government contest for high school students, this year expanded to welcome multimedia messages about access issues. Students may submit videos, podcasts, posters or essays. Entries are due March 5, 2024.

Washington state legislators can deny access to public records under an expanded definition of “legislative privilege,” a Thurston County Superior Court judge ruled Nov. 17, 2023. The ruling came in the case of Jamie Nixon and the Washington Coalition for Open Government v. the State of Washington.