Let's be very honest about what's what here. The current version of the Washington State Public Records Act (PRA) a/k/a/ RCW 42.56 wastes local tax dollars.
It is a prescription for blatant abuse and it is has in fact been blatantly abused over and over in our state, particularly so in my hometown of Gold Bar where the community came close to being bankrupted over its abuse by just a few malcontents.
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From Northwest Public Radio: The US Attorney in Seattle has stepped in to block the release of information about a once-secret program under which fictitious driver licenses were issued by the state of Washington. In a letter to the state, Jenny Durkan’s office says the documents are “classified national security information.”
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From NFOIC:
At issue are Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire’s claims of executive privilege to conceal records.COLUMBIA, Mo. (August 27, 2012) – The National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC) has joined media associations and good government groups in asking the Washington state Supreme Court to limit Gov. Gregoire’s authority to withhold documents from public scrutiny.
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From Bainbridge Island Review:
Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag has put the city on notice that the state will be watching to make sure Bainbridge Island follows the state law requiring open public meetings.
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From NWCN.com:
In the state of Washington if a citizen requests a public record, it should be turned over unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. That's the law. But investigators from KREM 2's Seattle affiliate, KING 5, have found more people than ever are accusing the state of breaking that law and it's costing taxpayers millions.
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From tri-cityherald.com:
OLYMPIA, Wash. — State lawmakers are exploring a plan that could limit how governments respond to requests for public documents, allowing them to get a court order if they can prove that a request creates a "significant burden."
The measure discussed by lawmakers Tuesday would also permit agencies to adopt policies limiting the amount of time devoted to responding to records requests.
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From The News Tribune:
Whatcom County (WA) Council members are "highly discouraged" from using their personal email accounts for county business, under a new policy under consideration.
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