To: Mike O'Connell, Counsel, Legislative Ethics Board and Members, Washington State Ethics Board
Limit the influence of lobbyists in the Washington State Legislature
Reform Washington State’s Ethics Law regarding gifts of food and beverages to lawmakers with a reporting system stressing disclosure, transparency, and easy accessibility to information by the public.
Why is this important?
Washington State public officials are limited by law to accepting free meals on “infrequent occasions”. Despite revelations that some legislators have allowed lobbyists to pick up their tab several times in a single week, the Legislature refused to pass a bill requiring stronger disclosure laws. We need increased transparency regarding gifts that may influence our lawmakers in ways that benefit lobbyists over the average citizen.
I have been working to raise awareness of hunger in our state and our nation. When I read that some of our lawmakers freely accept gifts of food while being less than generous in funding emergency feeding programs, it felt like a betrayal. Members of the legislature are paid a per diem to cover their expenses while in session.
The Washington State Legislature Ethics Board is currently seeking public input regarding gifts of food and beverages. They need to hear people care about this issue.
4-15-14 Austin Jenkins – NW News Network (NPR) - Washington Ethics Board To Consider Crackdown On Lobbyist-Paid Meals http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-ethics-board-consider-crackdown-lobbyist-paid-meals
6/1/13 – Seattle Times: “Olympia lobbyists pampering lawmakers with free meals” http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021104631_freemealsxml.html
7/30/13 - Seattle Times Editorial: “Legislative probe should spur more transparency”. http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2021497459_editethicsinvestigation29xml.html
Comments need to be in by June 13th.
I have been working to raise awareness of hunger in our state and our nation. When I read that some of our lawmakers freely accept gifts of food while being less than generous in funding emergency feeding programs, it felt like a betrayal. Members of the legislature are paid a per diem to cover their expenses while in session.
The Washington State Legislature Ethics Board is currently seeking public input regarding gifts of food and beverages. They need to hear people care about this issue.
4-15-14 Austin Jenkins – NW News Network (NPR) - Washington Ethics Board To Consider Crackdown On Lobbyist-Paid Meals http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-ethics-board-consider-crackdown-lobbyist-paid-meals
6/1/13 – Seattle Times: “Olympia lobbyists pampering lawmakers with free meals” http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021104631_freemealsxml.html
7/30/13 - Seattle Times Editorial: “Legislative probe should spur more transparency”. http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2021497459_editethicsinvestigation29xml.html
Comments need to be in by June 13th.