OLYMPIA - Open government advocates have a new resource at the Attorney General's Office. The AGO has launched "Unredacted: Uncovering the truth about Public Records and Open Public Meetings." "Citizens contact us when, for example, they believe that a city or county council meeting has been held illegally behind closed doors," said Attorney General Rob McKenna. "Our new site provides a roadmap for pulling back the curtain to find out what elected officials are up to." This new resource provides the public with a glimpse into the life of AGO Open Government Ombudsman Tim Ford as he answers questions about the state's public records and open meetings acts. "Local officials want to ensure that they're taking the correct steps to provide transparency," Ford said. "This site will also be a great resource for them to read answers to the most common questions about opening up government processes to everyday people."
New questions and answers are posted regularly. Questions and answers already include: Since taking office in 2005, McKenna has made it a high priority to strengthen the public's right to know about government's inner-workings, through open meetings and access to government records. McKenna's office drafted and passed legislation to strengthen the Public Records Act. He created an open government ombudsman to oversee public access and successfully fought to create a Sunshine Committee to review exemptions to the Public Records Act. The Attorney General also provides an Open Government Internet Manual for citizens and local elected officials.
| 