Editorial note: This week's main event was the media v the Washington state legislature. As I always said, news, and politics starts locally, and this week is no exception as you can see by the screaming headlines of local media giants, at least here in the state of Washington. Some state senators took it upon themselves to try and weasel in a bill that would apparently block the media in accessing public records, below is a summary of what the bill would have prohibit, which was part of a press release:
7000 BC
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| King Zeus says: " In my day we did things behind the scenes and, and no one dared objected! Of course we had no free press, pestering us! |
press release issued 2/ 21/ 18
http://mattshea.houserepublicans.wa.gov/2018/02/21/statements-from-legislative-caucus-leaders-on-senate-bill-6617-legislative-public-records-act/
The press release included a summary of the bill:
Summary of Legislative Public Records Proposal
PRA Clarified to Exclude Legislature. The Legislature’
s disclosure duties are established in a new chapter, and it is clarified that the Public Records Act (PRA) does not apply to the state legislative branch, and its houses, members, employees, and agencies. Conforming amendments are made to the PRA to reflect these changes.
Records Subject to Disclosure. “Legislative public records” subject to disclosure are defined. The definition includes all items currently disclosed under the PRA, as well as additional items.
Correspondence, amendments, minutes, etc., from committee meetings.
Transcripts, other records of hearings, written testimony, etc., filed with committees.
Internal accounting and financial records.
Personnel leave, travel, and payroll records.
Bills and bill reports.
Reports submitted to the Legislature.
Final dispositions of disciplinary proceedings by Executive Rules or F&O.
Specified information from legislators’ calendars of meetings or events related to official legislative duties, created after July 1, 2018.
Legislators’ correspondence on legislative business to and from persons outside the Legislature who are not constituents, created after July 1, 2018.
Any other record officially designated a legislative public record.
Disclosure Exceptions. Exceptions to the disclosure obligation are also defined.
Records the disclosure of which would violate an individual’s right to privacy (disclosure would be highly offensive and is not of legitimate public concern), such as personal information in personnel files.
Records of policy development; however, this exception does not apply to records of correspondence with lobbyists, lobbyist employers, etc.
Credit card numbers, bank account numbers, etc.
Records that are relevant to a controversy to which an entity of state government is a party but that would not be available in litigation.
Records subject to the Speech or Debate Clause in Article II, section 17, including but not limited to the deliberative process.
Responding to Requests. The Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House are the public records officers for those bodies respectively, and are jointly the public records officers for joint committees and legislative agencies. Requirements for copying, access, responses, and fees are established, most of which are generally based on existing PRA language. However, in language mirroring the judiciary’s disclosure rule, the Chief Clerk or the Secretary may deny a records request if the request was made to harass or intimidate, or if fulfilling the request would present a safety risk.
Review. A person whose request for legislative public records was denied may seek review by the Facilities & Operations Committee or the Executive Rules Committee, respectively, or jointly if the request involved a legislative agency or joint committee. The committees’ decisions are final.
Application. The part of the bill removing the legislature from the scope of the PRA is retroactive and applies to any pending PRA requests or litigation. The Legislative Public Records Act takes effect immediately. (full text of 6617 can be seen here)
Editorial Note: In essence the bill was set up to protect state legislatures being expose of wrong doings. Clever! Is it any wonder why the state, and local media was foaming at the mouth all week.
But by the end of the week the Governor heard the cries of the media and took action.
Examples of headlines which were screaming for action:
Seattle Times: Washington state lawmakers make speedy move to shield their records from the public
Ever seen legislation in Olympia move this fast? With no debate, the Washington state House and Senate approved a bill Friday that makes some legislative records public starting in July — but shields records that already exist.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/without-debate-state-senate-approves-open-records-bill-that-keeps-many-lawmakers-records-closed/
The Olympian: Are legislators telling the truth about the controversial public records bill they just passed? Not so much
Washington state lawmakers passed a sweeping public-records bill Friday, exempting the state Legislature from the state’s Public Records Act and embroiling themselves in a controversy that continues to churn throughout the state.
http://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article202291559.html
Seattle PI: Connelly: Inslee must veto Legislature's public records bill
The 1972 drive for the Washington Public Disclosure Act sent this UW grad student wheezing for days after collecting signatures for Initiative 276 on raw mornings with temperatures in the low 40's and "scattered showers" coming down.
Almost 50 years later, the Legislature is making me sick to my stomach by trying to exempt itself with a bill that blocks release of lawmaker exchanges with constituents. It opens wide loopholes for special interest groups to make sure that communications with legislators never get made public.
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/Connelly-The-buck-stops-with-Inslee-Veto-the-12717351.php
Culture trumps strategy, or why legislators failed to learn from the mistakes of Congress----Washington State Wire
https://washingtonstatewire.com/culture-trumps-strategy-legislators-failed-learn-mistakes-congress/
Quote: " Last week’s bill that limited transparency in the legislature was shot through both chambers in a manner that would make Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell envious. It took about 56 hours from introduction to passage.
Now, there may be good reasons to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And, there may be reasons to repeal the Supreme Court’s ruling requiring the legislature operate like every other state agency (save the courts, of course).
But, jamming through legislation – whether it’s in DC or in Olympia – is seldom a way to make good policy. It’s a way to get a bill passed, sure. But when the US Senate stopped and took a look at the repeal bill, questions about the policy sank the initiative."
The tax happy Inslee responded with action with the press release below. Perhaps diverting attention from critics of his Carbon tax manuver, now the media can write wonderful stories about how Inslee saved the day for them. Maybe they'll white wash the taxes Inslee wants Washington residents to pay up, you think?
Inslee vetoes ESB 6617 – Legislature and media agree to discuss path forward
https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-vetoes-esb-6617-%E2%80%93-legislature-and-media-agree-discuss-path-forward
(Press release issued 3/ 1/ 18)
Gov. Jay Inslee tonight vetoed ESB 6617, a bill related to public disclosure obligations of the Legislature. Inslee received a request Thursday evening from a number of legislators to veto the bill after they reached an agreement with media organizations about a process for working together on the issue.
Plaintiffs from the media lawsuit have agreed to join defendants in seeking a stay of proceedings in the trial court during the appeal, and further agree they will not try to enforce the trial court’s order during the appeal. The governor’s veto message and the veto request from the Legislature and media plaintiffs are linked below.
Following his veto, Inslee issued the following statement:
“The public’s right to government information is one we hold dearly in Washington. Transparency is a cornerstone of a democratic government, and I’m very proud of my administration’s record on public disclosure. I believe legislators will find they can fulfill their duties while being fully transparent, just like state and local governments all across Washington.
“I want to thank the legislators who have reconsidered this bill and asked me for this veto tonight. Since this bill passed, my office and lawmakers have heard an unprecedented level of response from the public. Those messages were heard loudly and clearly. I now hope lawmakers, the media, and other stakeholders will work together to resolve differences through a process the public can have faith in.
“I believe the Legislature’s overwhelming vote on the bill was a good faith attempt to increase disclosure and transparency. Though I expressed concerns about the outline of the bill, I did tell legislators I would let the bill become law if they delivered it with enough votes to override a veto. However, that was before I saw the process which failed to meet public expectations for openness and delivered a bill that fell short.
“I appreciate that both sides have been open to discussions during the past few days and will work together to find the right approach to this important issue.”
IN WORLD NEWS HEADLINES FROM THE UN NEWS CENTER & OTHER SOURCES
United Nations Agencies Discuss Ways to Align Strategies with Sustainable Development Agenda, as Economic and Social Council Continues Segment
UN Press release issued 2/ 28/ 18
https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/ecosoc6894.doc.htm
The heads of various United Nations agencies, funds and programmes discussed methods for aligning their strategies with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development today, as the Economic and Social Council continued its consideration of the United Nations operational activities for international development cooperation within the broader context of Organizational reform.
UN NEWS CENTER
Governments should place more emphasis on drug treatment and rehabilitation, says UN-backed narcotics control board
Governments are being urged to invest more in drug treatment and rehabilitation rather than just focusing solely on prevention, the latest report by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) recommends.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/03/1003871
On ‘Zero Discrimination Day’ UN urges tackling everyday biases; ask yourself ‘what if...?
To mark Zero Discrimination Day, the United Nations agency coordinating the global effort to tackle HIV/AIDS is challenging people to recognize where everyday discrimination takes place and take action to stop it by asking themselves simple questions: ‘What if the person you bought your vegetables from was living with HIV? Would you buy tomatoes from him?’
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/03/1003841
Some 19 million newborns at risk of brain damage every year due to iodine deficiency – UN
Nearly 19 million babies born globally every year – 14 per cent – are at risk of permanent yet preventable brain damage and reduced cognitive function due to a lack of iodine in the earliest years of life, according to a United Nations-backed report released Thursday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/03/1003821
Airstrikes, shelling continue in Syria despite Security Council’s ceasefire call – top UN officials
Despite the Security Council’s demand for a ceasefire throughout Syria, violence continues to plague the war-ravaged country, worsening the humanitarian situation and the suffering of its people, top United Nations political and relief officials said Wednesday, calling on all parties to the conflict to “fulfil their obligations to end the fighting.”
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/02/1003801
US MISSION TO THE UN: Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in Syria---Ambassador Kelley Currie
Quote: " Despite the unanimous call for a ceasefire, the regime’s attacks continue unabated. Hundreds of Syrians have been killed or injured since we passed the resolution on Saturday."
https://usun.state.gov/remarks/8328
US DEFENSE DEPT: Stratcom Commander Discusses Strategic Deterrence Mission
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 28, 2018 —
Adversaries are evolving, and the United States needs to stay ahead of these threats to ensure it never enters a “fair fight,” the commander of U.S. Strategic Command said here today.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1454082/stratcom-commander-discusses-strategic-deterrence-mission/
IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION
