Press Release
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Contact: George Erb, coalition secretary, geoerb@seanet.comJuli Bunting, coalition executive director, info@washingtoncog.orgWCOG recognizes the Washington Counties Risk Pool for its transparency
SEATTLE – The Washington Coalition for Open Government on Tuesday presented a Key Award to the Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP) for embracing transparency and the state’s Public Records Act.
The coalition presents Key Awards throughout the year to people and organizations that do something notable for the cause of open government. The risk pool is an association that provides insurance, risk management and other services for its 26 member counties in Washington state. A representative of each county sits on the risk pool’s board.
Several months ago the coalition asked the risk pool to consent to a declaratory judgment in superior court that it is subject to the Public Records Act under the Telford test. Washington state courts use the test to determine whether associations are the functional equivalent of a government agency.
The risk pool was under no obligation to agree with the coalition, and the association could have argued against it. Instead, the risk pool accepted the coalition’s offer and agreed that it is subject to state public records laws.
“This was the best possible outcome,” said coalition President Mike Fancher. “It happened because WCRP decided to do the right thing when it did not have to. We think that was a notable act in support of transparent government.”
Fancher and coalition Executive Director Juli Bunting presented the Key Award during a Zoom session to WCRP President Vickie Raines, a Grays Harbor County commissioner; risk pool Vice President Joe Brusic, Yakima County prosecuting attorney; WCRP Secretary/Treasurer Dawn Twiddy, Mason County’s human resources manager; and risk pool Executive Director Derek Bryan.
The Washington Coalition for Open Government is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded in 2002. We are an independent, broad-based advocate for public records, open meetings and informed citizens.