TL;DR The Short Version…
No bills dropped yet to further deny transparency - yet the key word
There is reason for concern in 2026
Asking Microsoft Copilot a tough question.
It’s the beginning of WashCOG awards season and I have some… suggestions.
No Prefiled Bills Threatening Transparency… YET
No Prefiled Bills Threatening or Growing Transparency… YET
I’ve been checking the prefiled bills page and so far seen nothing to be worried about. But there’s still some weeks until January 12 and the start of legislative session. Even then, bills can be filed.
For now, be alert and be ready to push back. This Coalition has been publicly credited by the Washington Association of Cities as the main defense of open government legislation.
But there is reason for concern in 2026…
Already the Washington Coalition for Open Government and an overpriced substack has learned the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) wants to stop the annual reporting on public records response times. I have filed a public records request to get the AWC’s side of the story and am told to expect records January 19 or thereabouts. I hope the scrutiny - and pledge of more - prevents a tragic waste of legislators’ time because we should most certainly be tracking the time it takes to respond to a public records request, especially as fulfilling RCW 42.56 the Public Records Act is an unfunded mandate.
I remind all of the “construction” of RCW 42.56 with my emphasis:
The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may maintain control over the instruments that they have created. This chapter shall be liberally construed and its exemptions narrowly construed to promote this public policy and to assure that the public interest will be fully protected. In the event of conflict between the provisions of this chapter and any other act, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.
No time like the present to remind…
New Feature: Ask the Copilot…
Asking Microsoft Copilot the Hard Questions…
Taking after the WashCOG Facebook page, I’ve decided to ask Microsoft’s M356 Copilot. Below is a table created by Microsoft Copilot about legislative privilege:
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Protects Legislative Independence – Ensures lawmakers can operate without | Reduces Transparency – Limits public access to legislative records, undermining Washington’s strong open-government tradition. |
Encourages Candid Deliberation – Creates a safe space for | Potential for Abuse – Could allow secrecy in decision-making and shield controversial actions from public scrutiny. |
Aligns with Other Jurisdictions – Many states and Congress | Conflicts with Public Records Act – Washington’s PRA emphasizes openness; privilege could erode this principle. |
Supports Effective Lawmaking – Facilit | Erodes Public Trust – Lack of transparency may lead to suspicion and decreased confidence in government. |
I think this table adequately summarizes why most open governments care. Open government advocates want to stop abuse of power, have high public trust, defend the Public Records Act and of course have transparency.
A Hot Take on Using AI…
Rarely will I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to gather notes. I prefer the old school way of researching, but I like the idea of having many sources amalgated into a report to share.
A Few Suggestions as the 2026 Washington Coalition for Open Government Awards Season Starts…
Yes, nominations are opening up for Washington Coalition for Open Government (WashCOG) awards. The first big award nomination period has begun with the annual Kenneth F. Bunting Award for outstanding journalism in the interest of government transparency. Nominations are due Jan. 16, 2026 for recognizing, “Journalists and media outlets for work that uses or advances Washington state’s open government laws, or educates citizens about them.”
I have my nominee in mind and intend to work on that nomination this week. For everyone, the Bunting Award form is here.
WashCOG will present the Bunting Award at its annual Sunshine Breakfast on March 13 at the Embassy Suites Bellevue. Good luck to all nominees…
A Suggestion to WashCOG… First in a Series
I really think 2026 is the year for WashCOG to make some adjustments to the awards process. One of those adjustments is to have an, “Under 40” award.
I’m 43 so I remember very well what it’s like to be young, toil for open government and make political frienemies if not enemies because I decided to choose principles over groupthink. It’s hard. Anyone who listens to the Public Records Officer Podcast knows Washington State is becoming more hostile to the forces of open government. Back in my 20s, I believe I cost me an opportunity at being on a community college board of trustees because I put open government first.
So yes, I would like to see someone in their 20s or 30s working away for open government be recognized. Someone in that age bracket who is preferably unlikely to be recognized by corporate media but is a lighthouse + library in an underresourced part of our big state.
Here’s hoping the 20-somethings and 30-somethings finally get recognized for building our tomorrow. Please.
OTHER OPEN GOVERNMENT NEWS
Still need to save the date for January 29 and the upcoming open government cases having their hearings in Tacoma.
I have already filed several public records requests about the recent climate emergency events. Stay tuned please.
Many jurisdictions did use special meeting notices in recent weeks, showing compliance with RCW 42.30.