From time to time, we will share with you the collective voice of Lafromboise Communications in the form of an editorial entitled “Our Views.’’
In addition to The Reflector, the Lafromboise Communications family includes The Chronicle Newspaper in Centralia and the Nisqually Valley News, located in Yelm. When appropriate, we will share “Our Views’’ with you about a topic or issue that impacts readers in each of the circulation areas of our three newspapers.
On most occasions when we have an “Our Views’’ column to share, it will be in addition to my own editorial. However, space was at a premium on our Opinion pages this week, so I present this offering in this space.
This week’s editorial was written by Eric Schwartz, editor of The Chronicle. It addresses our collective thoughts on something that I believe concerned citizens should be aware of.
Put More Teeth in Open Public Meetings Act
In Washington, the public has the expectation that the government will conduct its business in an open manner.
It’s written in the law.
Unfortunately, elements of the legislation have not been updated since 1971 when the Washington Open Public Meetings Act was first passed. State Attorney General Bob Ferguson is looking to strengthen the law as part of his legislative agenda for 2016.
The act requires open meetings for governing boards such as city councils, school boards and county commissions. It’s meant to make sure our elected leaders are making their decisions in a public forum in front of the very people impacted by them.
Currently, the law allows only for a $100 civil penalty for each member of a government body who takes part in a decision found to be in violation of the open meetings act. There are no additional ramifications for repeat offenders. Ferguson’s requested legislation would boost the first-time penalty to $500 while instituting a $1,000 fine for repeat offenders.
“Open government is vital to an informed democracy,” Ferguson said in a press release. “When the law requires an open meeting, yet officials knowingly close the door on the public, they must be held accountable with meaningful penalties.”
The Democratic attorney general is proposing what amounts to a common sense improvement for an important safeguard for the people of Washington. He’s doing so with bipartisan support.
The House version of the bill is sponsored by Rep. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, while the companion Senate bill is backed by Sen. Pam Roach, R-Sumner.
“To hold government accountable, we need to know what’s going on,” said Roach, chair of the Senate Government Operations and Security Committee. “No more secret meetings. Those officials who knowingly and repeatedly violate our open meeting laws should face a penalty painful enough to discourage them from ever doing so again.”
With an election year approaching, we’ve already heard warnings that the legislative session that began Monday might yield few results as lawmakers look to avoid decisions that could affect chances of retaining their seats.
Ferguson’s proposal on the Open Public Meetings Act is a matter that deserves attention and will not attract controversy.
It deserves swift passage by both houses of the Legislature.
It’s also worth noting Ferguson has compiled an impressive record of focusing on transparency and accountability as attorney general. He established the open government ombudsman as a full-time position in 2013, and a year later saw legislation requested by his office signed into law that requires training for public officials on the Public Records Act and the Open Public Meetings Act.
We appreciate his attention to these matters, which are of the utmost importance in maintaining an educated and engaged electorate in a time of increased voter apathy.
We hope a majority of lawmakers share his commitment.
