Court: Washington state lawmakers are subject to records act
OLYMPIA — The Washington Supreme Court ruled Thursday that state lawmakers are subject to the same public disclosure rules that apply to other elected officials and agencies.
In a 7-2 ruling, justices rejected lawmakers’ assertion that they are not required to turn over daily schedules, emails, text messages and other materials related to their work.
The justices heard arguments in June on the appeal of a case that was sparked by a September 2017 lawsuit filed by a media coalition, led by The Associated Press and including The Daily Herald. It sought sexual harassment reports, calendar entries and other documents.
Lawmakers have long said they are not subject to the law that applies to officials across the state, from school board members and county commissioners to agency heads.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/court-washington-state-lawmakers-are-subject-to-records-act/?utm_source=DAILY+HERALD&utm_campaign=87bfd8c0dc-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d81d073bb4-87bfd8c0dc-228635337
