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.
