The Washington Coalition for Open Government represents individuals and organizations intent on preserving and protecting Washington's Open Government Laws - Open Records and Open Meetings. Its mission is to represent the public in matters where open government issues are raised, are threatened, or deserves broader exposure.
The Coalition conducts public workshops and forums around the state, involving the public, public officials, and the media in discussing government accessibility as provided in the various statutes that assure such access and accountability from our public agencies.
SPEAKER'S BUREAU
Now accepting Speaker Requests!
Need a speaker for your next meeting or event? The Washington Coalition for Open Government (WCOG) now offers a roster of knowledgeable speakers who can provide enlightening and entertaining programs that will answer your members’ questions on perplexing issues concerning public records and open public meetings. To learn more and request a speaker, please visit our Speakers Bureau webpage.
NEWS ARTICLES
Bills would let agencies keep public in the dark
The Spokesman-Review: January 28, 2010
Washingtonians who value open, accessible government have watched with dismay for several years as the state’s commitment to openness has been eroded, exemption by exemption.
At the urging of Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna and Democratic Auditor Brian Sonntag, a bipartisan push produced a special committee to examine the growing list of exemptions and recommend places where the trend could be reversed. Unfortunately, the committee has faced an uphill grind, and in the meantime, every legislative session brings a new round of proposed exemptions. Read More
Don't raid public records fines
The News Tribune: January 27, 2010
Lawmakers, under cover of helping the state archives, are seeking to shift the costs of illegal government secrecy to whistleblowers.
Identical bills in the House and Senate propose to redirect fines now paid to private citizens who prove public agencies erred in withholding records. The fines would go instead to the state archives account. Read More
If agencies follow law, problem disappears
The Olympian: January 27, 2010
State lawmakers must not overreact to a few bad actors who are trying to get rich off the state’s public disclosure law.
Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park, has introduced Senate Bill 6408, an ill-advised piece of legislation that would have a horrible chilling effect on this state’s Public Records Act and the ability of citizens to pry the records out of the hands of public agencies. Under her bill, litigants who successfully sue for public records might not recoup their attorney fees and any fines would go to the state archivist, not the person who filed the lawsuit. Read More
Public deserves 72 hours to see how money is spent
The Olympian: January 25, 2010
Rep. Gary Alexander is a determined man. He's determined to open up the budget process and let the public actually read and understand what programs are being cut and how tax dollars are being spent BEFORE legislators vote on the spending plan. Read More
U.S. Supreme Court will take R-71 case
The Daily World: January 7, 2010
The United States Supreme Court will decide whether people who signed Referendum 71 petitions should have their names publicly disclosed. That measure sought to overturn a new expanded gay rights law.
The justices said Friday they'll consider an appeal of a lower court's ruling that the names should be released. Legal scholars nationwide have been following the R-71 case, saying it could have broad implications for public disclosure laws. Arguments will take place in April. Read More
If you would like to support WCOG’s efforts in the Referendum 71 case, please click here
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