! McKenna Calls For Open Gov't Initiative !

Speaking at a legislative day gathering of newspaper publishers yesterday, Attorney General Rob McKenna suggested an initiative might be necessary to improve the state's open government laws. We were there and heard it ourselves.

McKenna's suggestion came after detailing how local government special interests seem to be killing every reasonable improvement to these laws, such as the executive session taping bill.

McKenna is right. It's time for an initiative.

An initiative covering the topic of open government should amendment a few provisions of the Public Records Act and the Open Public Meetings Act. These laws have been operating for almost 40 years so we have a track record of what's working and not working. We can clearly see specific areas needing improvement, and we have very practical and specific improvements in mind.

Remember: local governments cannot legally spend money to defeat an open government initiative. They will, but it's illegal.