Kelso Pays $3,336 to Prisoner for Public Records Violation

The (Longview) Daily News reports that a prisoner, who made numerous records requests to the City of Kelso but didn't receive any response, has settled a Public Records Act suit for $3,336.

Before you say, "Prisoners shouldn't get public records let alone $3,336," look at the records he requested. They related to his arrest. If people can't find get records about their own arrest, we're all worse off.

! Big Win in U.S. Supreme Court for Washington State Records Requestor !

Milner v. U.S. Dep't of Navy is out. This is great. The government's attempted misuse of FOIA here was preposterous.

Kudos to Seattle attorney Kathy George for working on this.

Clark County Open Meetings Question

The (Vancouver) Columbian reports on a meeting of two out of three Clark County Commissioners had with Congressmen concerning a transportation project.

The County says that there was no violation of the Open Public Meetings Act because they didn't transact County business. Well, all they need to do is "discuss" County business and it's a meeting subject to the Open Public Meetings Act. Did those Congressmen have a meeting to talk about the weather?

State Auditor's Office Puts Public Records Online

It can be done! Public records available without even asking for them, and without the agency having to spend it's time and money finding them.

The State Auditor's Office is doing so. They are putting up commonly asked for records such as the Seattle Public School District audit.

Spokesman-Review Editorial on Opening Up Congressional Research Service Records

The Spokesman-Review writes this editorial about Congressional Research Service records. They are currently exempt from FOIA.

Yakima Herald-Republic Editorial on Legislative Transparency

The Yakima Herald-Republic writes this editorial on the lack of transparency in the Washington Legislature.