Josh Goodman is a former staff writer for GOVERNING..
E-mail: mailbox@governing.comTwitter: @governing
Little Sunshine Miss
I like a lot of different foods -- pie, hash browns, apple danish and lamb rogan josh to name a few -- but there's nothing more delicious than a steaming bowl of irony. This one must have been prepared by a master chef.
The state of Washington has a new Sunshine Committee that is charged with reviewing open records laws. After Governor Christine Gregoire named some of the committee members, the Associated Press asked for documents relating to the selection process.
Gregoire turned over some documents, but refused to turn over anything related to applicants who weren't selected, saying that the law exempts applications for public employment. Open records advocates disagree that membership on the unpaid committee constitutes employment. So now the governor and the AP are engaged in an open records battle over appointments to the Sunshine Committee.
They could at least change the name to the Partly Cloudy Committee.
Twitter: @governing
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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