The Evergreen State has long prided itself on open and honest government, but a new report paints a rather less-glowing picture. InvestigateWest reports that a new ranking by the Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity ranks Washington 12th nationally but only gave it a D-plus. And just three years ago, the Center ranked Washington third (scoring changes may have contributed to the drop).
Among the problems: difficulties getting information from public agencies, despite a law mandating open public records, and revolving door hiring of state officials by private interests. Attorney Katherine George, a member of the Washington Coalition for Open Government, tells InvestigateWest that agencies are too cautious about disclosing documents and they often put more money and effort into public relations efforts rather than hiring enough staff to handle public requests for documents.
