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Rep. Joel Kretz appointed to 'Open
Government Task Force'
Lawmaker's experience and interest in
transparent government needed to find solutions to public records,
meetings debate
Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna
has appointed
Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, to the state's Open Government
Task Force, which is charged with finding efficient and effective
ways to address public records requests while reducing costs to
governmental agencies.
"This is truly an honor and a group in which I know can make a difference for
the citizens of the state," said Kretz, who serves as the deputy leader
for the House Republicans. "The government at every level is
supposed to
serve the public, and everyone has a right to ask to review documents
prepared by the government. That said, there have been some abuses in
the system, costly litigation and legitimate questions raised that I
hope this task force will address."
The directives to the task force include looking at what other states are
doing to resolve open record request disputes. The group will vet ideas
on how to avoid litigation by using mediation, dispute resolution and
legislative reforms. The goal is to ensure public records requests are
handled in the best possible way without costing citizens requesting
records and state and local
governments exorbitant amounts of money.
"One key element the group will study is how to train governmental
officials about their responsibilities under the Open Public Records
Act," said Kretz. "I think many of the disputes over requests are due to
a lack of understanding of this complex law. We can begin to make the
system more understandable and responsive just by tackling this problem.
I look forward to making some positive progress on this issue. I
appreciate Rob McKenna taking a leadership role as we work to ensure an
open and transparent government."
Kretz authored an "open government" measure that was signed into law
this year. House Bill 1552 requires state agencies to accept
individual oral testimony in the presence of all other attendees at
public meetings. This applies to meetings held under the Open Public
Meetings Act where a state agency is adopting an ordinance, resolution,
rule, order or directive. The issue was brought to him by a constituent
and local media outlet.
The task force meetings are scheduled for Oct. 5 and Nov. 2 from 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m. at the attorney general's office in Olympia.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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