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OPINION: Let the sun shine
brighter on government
By Rep. Doug Ericksen
As Washingtonians we
should be proud of our public records laws as they are among the most
comprehensive in the nation. These laws began as a mandate from our
citizens who had the foresight to pass the Public Disclosure Act
(Initiative 276) in 1972.
A lot has happened since
then. We’ve reached new crossroads as the technology age has shifted the
public records paradigm and as nebulous court decisions have produced
overlapping precedents.
As the privacy of
individuals is interfaced with transparency in government, it makes for
a delicate balancing act.
Transparency of government is imperative to instilling public confidence
in our democratic processes. There is no greater mechanism for
government accountability than public scrutiny.
Yet, we must be mindful of
our privacy rights. While public records may suggest an entitlement to
the masses, they often entail sensitive information about an
individual’s life, activities, and personal characteristics.
I agree with our proactive
Attorney General Rob McKenna who has made this issue a priority. He
believes government must embrace a “culture of compliance” so the public
can expect, and receive, a prompt reply to public records requests. If
not, the
public deserves a meaningful explanation as to why the request cannot be
met.
I also support legislation that prohibits government from rejecting
record requests from the public under the auspices of being “overbroad.”
This includes increasing the penalty for government when it is not in
compliance with the law.
I’m confident, if given
the right framework, government can be both responsive and responsible
with public records requests. If so, the sun will shine brighter on
government.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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