The Coalition recognized outstanding efforts for the cause of open government over the past year, presenting a variety of awards at its annual Sunshine Breakfast attended by a record crowd of supporters.

March 12-18 is Sunshine Week, intended to raise awareness of the resources that promote open government. WashCOG is one of many organizations with activities (such as our annual Sunshine Breakfast) to promote and celebrate sunshine laws and practices.

The League of Women Voters is sharing the findings of its study on the effects of diminishing news media on government oversight. The League is also weighing taking a stand to advocate for assistance to bolster community media.

A WashCOG board member and local attorney is concerned that the legislature isn’t heeding their research about PRA exemptions.

Les Zaitz, a prominent Oregon journalists and fierce advocate for access, is the keynote speaker at WashCOG’s annual Sunshine Breakfast on March 17 in Seattle.

WashCOG will present the next Kenneth Bunting Award for outstanding journalism to Crosscut for its extensive document library tracking use of federal relief money, “Washington Recovery Watch.”

WashCOG’s 2023 Sunshine Breakfast is honoring contributors to open government efforts. Awards are going to TVW, which covers government events; two legislators for their efforts promoting transparency; WashCOG’s member of the year; and others.

Washington’s capitol may be lovely at dusk, but it’s a bad sign when legislators are doing business in the dark. See our legislative update on bills that could deter government transparency, and reach out to your representatives about letting the sunshine in.

This issue of our newsletter features tips for keeping tabs on the Washington State Legislature as it convenes in January. Join us as watchdogs of open government legislation, including a new effort to withhold documents.

WashCOG is rallying a fight against legislators who are trying to duck disclosure laws by misuse of “legislative privilege.” A law intended to encourage robust debate is being invoked to hamper oversight.

WashCOG is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Toby Nixon Award (formerly the James Madison Award), which recognizes an individual or organization whose long-term commitment to the cause of open government is demonstrated through exemplary words or deeds.

Nominations are now open for the 2022 James Andersen Award, which recognizes an individual or organization that has made extraordinary effort to advance the priorities of the Washington Coalition for Open Government.

WashCOG is now accepting nominations for its annual Kenneth F. Bunting Award for outstanding journalism in the interest of government transparency. Named for the late Ken Bunting, a former associate publisher of the Seattle P=I, the award recognizes work that uses or advances Washington’s open government laws. More information is available here.

The gift of democracy

Please remember WashCog during the holiday season! The Washington Coalition for Open Government is a nonpartisan, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

The Open Government Town Hall in Bellingham drew discussion of how open government and civic education strengthen democracy, and what we can all do to promote transparency.

Participants included civic and academic organizations.

Save the date: WashCOG’s annual Sunshine Breakfast is on Friday, March 17, 2023 at T-Mobile Park.

We’ll honor outstanding contributions to the cause of open government. Award nominations materials and ticket information will be available soon, so mark the date on your calendar now.

Articles in our October 2022 newsletter

Seattle under scrutiny: WashCOG monitors City of Seattle’s transparency policies after legal settlement

REVEALED: WashCOG attorney tackles current issues in podcast

Ombuds for whom? Washington’s AG fills a long-vacant seat intended to ensure PRA, OPMA compliance

Pandemic Info Access: Praise for a public health department that put transparency first

And more articles!

WashCOG is hosting an Open Government Town Hall Oct. 9 at Western Washington University in Bellingham. Sessions include a presentation on student journalists use of the Public Records Act and a discussion of access and civic engagement to promote democracy. It is the first of a series of events on college campuses to commemorate WashCOG’s 20th birthday and the 50th anniversary of Initiative 276, which originated the Public Disclosure Commission.

The Washington Coalition for Open Government is sharing the sworn depositions of Washington State Redistricting Commission commissioners that shed light on the agency’s activities and open meetings violations of 2021.

WashCOG in December 2021 sued the commission to hold its members accountable for violating the state Open Public Meetings Act and to impose reforms so future commissions don’t make the same mistakes. We settled the lawsuit in February 2022.

The Washington Coalition for Open Government is saddened to learn of the death of James A. Andersen, a founding member of the WashCOG board.

Andersen, former chief justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, died May 1. He was 97.

“Justice Andersen was a true champion of open govern,” said Mike Fancher, WashCOG president. “He helped launch the coalition in 2002 and remained a strong advocate throughout his life.”