Last week, Governor Inslee vetoed Senate Bill 6617, the Legislative Public Records Act (LPRA). After hearing from the people of the 48th District, I believe it was the right decision.
I originally supported this legislation because it expanded transparency and accessibility, while protecting constituent privacy, a priority for me given the personal stories of tragedy and heartache often shared by citizens seeking help.
However, it is clear the process we used was wrong.
The good news is the parties to the lawsuit have agreed to stay Judge Lanese’s decision, and we now have an opportunity to start over. A task force made up of open government advocates, media representatives, members of the public and legislators will convene to work on this issue over the interim.
The Legislature can then take up new, fully considered public disclosure legislation next session, when the people of the 48th District will have another opportunity to make their voices heard.
Thank you all for reaching out to my office. I work for you and your input is essential to ensure a strong, functioning democratic process.
Best Regards,
Sen. Patty Kuderer
