Transparency priorities tracked in 2025 legislature

Legislative chamber, Olympia, Washington — Photo by Colette Weeks

A half-dozen priorities focused on accountability, transparency and access head the wish list for the Washington Coalition for Open Government as the Washington state legislature begins its 2025 session.

Eradication of “legislative privilege” as a way for lawmakers to avoid scrutiny leads our priority list for the second year, with additional goals of protecting the state’s.Public Records Act and encouraging legislators to accept and consider the recommendations of the state Sunshine Committee, which reviews policy, existing law and legislative proposals. This year, WashCOG is also urging the legislature to explore ways to help financially struggling news media, in support of journalism’s role in ensuring access and accountability in government.

WashCOG’s general legislative priorities for the 2025 session are available here. Another resource is WashCog’s weekly Olympia Watch, which will report transparency news and legislative action, with links to relevant legislation and bill analysis.