Commentary WA House adds to list of government transparency assaults

The Washington House of Representatives has reinstated a 30-day email auto-deletion system, furthering its march toward governmental secrecy. This policy allows lawmakers to label emails as "transitory," enabling the deletion of records without oversight, which raises significant concerns about accountability. George Erb, a member of the Washington Coalition for Open Government, condemned the House leadership's actions, which seem to defy a 2019 state Supreme Court ruling affirming lawmakers' responsibilities under the Public Records Act. A 2024 report by WashCOG noted a significant decline in the public's right to access governmental information, identifying the Legislature as a primary contributor to this trend. The lack of clarity surrounding what constitutes "transitory" emails allows lawmakers to discard potentially important communications without scrutiny.

Critics emphasize that this policy undermines the public's ability to understand legislative processes and decisions. Advocates for transparency are calling on citizens to voice their opposition to these measures. The fight for open government continues as lawmakers appear determined to maintain their grip on information.