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.

Thurston County Superior Court will this week consider whether the state legislators have a legal privilege to withhold public information, despite a 2019 Washington State Supreme Court ruling that they are covered by the PRA.

Bolstered by the largest single donation in its history, WashCOG is launching Right2Know, a campaign to raise awareness of eroding government transparency and fight to open doors for oversight.

The newest issue of our newsletter shines light on recent efforts to weaken Washington’s sunshine laws, and suggests what we should be asking our elected officials about ensuring access.

WashCOG has joined with a citizen requester to sue the state of Washington because Washington’s legislators claim that they have a legislative privilege to conduct the people’s business in private and withhold public records from public scrutiny.

The Coalition strenuously objects to SHB1533, a well-intentioned bill intended to protect crime victims. But it’s so monumentally overbroad that it would allow any employee of a state agency, including K-12 education, to opt out of the public record — and disappear from accountability.

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.