The Better Government Association and National Freedom of Information Coalition recently graded all 50 states on access to public records (hat tip to OG-Blog). The survey used five criteria: Response Time, Appeals, Expedited Review, Attorney's Fees & Costs, and Sanctions.
Washington's grade?
"F."
In fairness, 37 other states received failing grades. Washington received poor marks in the categories of appeals, expedited review, and sanctions.
The Washington Coalition for Open Government (WPC is a member of the coalition) is encouraging elected officials to adopt reforms that will help address the state's failing grade. Among the reforms recommended:
Create an Independent Open Government Ombudsman – The legislature should create an independent open government ombudsman to provide information on public records and open public meetings to state and local agencies and the public; represent the public in obtaining public records from state and local agencies; maintain a web site to assist the public in obtaining information and public records; and prepare model employee orientation and training materials on open government principles for agencies and elected officials.
Create Individual Criminal Penalties for Willful Violations of the Public Records Act – Make it a gross misdemeanor for a public official to willfully and maliciously fail to disclose documents under the Public Records Act.
As noted in the report:
Freedom of information laws are only as good as the response mechanisms built into the laws themselves. From the moment a citizen walks into the state agency to make a records request to the final denial of access by a state court, each step in the process is, in most states, a stacked deck in favor of governmental secrecy.
Comments