Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has two legislative proposals this year that can remove recent tarnish from Washington state government’s once sterling reputation for integrity and ethics in government.
The Center for Public Integrity, a non-partisan organization that grades states for ethics, gave Washington a D-plus grade this year, down from past years.
Washington has already taken steps to improve its grade. Last year, the Legislature provided funding for a searchable lobbyist database for the state Public Disclosure Commission, which regulates campaign and lobbying spending. But that funding to dramatically improve public access to lobbyist spending details came after the center’s report period ended in March.
Ferguson’s proposals tighten the ethics rules and could raise the state’s grade. Continue…
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