Ballard/Thompson Award
The Ballard/Thompson Award is named in honor of former Speaker of the House (R) Clyde Ballard and former Chief Clerk of the House, Representative, and Senator (D) Alan Thompson; both founding members of WashCOG. It is presented to a member or members of the state legislature who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the cause of open government during the previous legislative session.
The award is presented annually, provided there is a recipient who meets the criteria set by WashCOG.
2024 - Seven legislators reject “legislative privilege”
Former Speaker Frank Chopp and Rep. Gerry Pollet accepted the Ballard-Thompson Award for their stance against “legislative privilege.” — Photo by Desiree Erdmann
WashCOG thanked seven current and former members of the state Legislature who pledged to not use “legislative privilege” to withhold records from the public; each received the Coalition’s Ballard-Thompson Award for outstanding dedication to the cause of open government during a legislative session. The awards were announced at the 2025 Sunshine Breakfast.
State lawmakers recently started claiming a “legislative privilege” to black out information on records requested by the public (or to withhold entire documents). That followed a court decision that said they are subject to the Public Records Act, which originated in a citizen initiative that passed by more than 70%.
Using legislative privilege to withhold information requested by the public “is just morally wrong if you are an elected official,” Pollet said in accepting the award. “It’s sad to see that there are really only just a handful of legislators who pledged not to use this artifice,” Pollet said.
“This issue is very simple,” Chopp said. “You have to fight back and win on this issue because the people are with you.” The Ballard/Thompson Award is named in honor of former Speaker of the House Clyde Ballard (R) and former chief clerk of the house, representative, and senator, the late Alan Thompson (D). Both men were founding members of WashCOG. The lawmakers are:
Rep. and former Speaker of the House Frank Chopp (D-43).
Rep. Paul Harris (R-17).
Sen. Mark Mullet (D-5).
Sen. Ron Muzzall (R-10).
Rep. Tina Orwall (D-33).
Sen. Jamie Pedersen (D-43).
Rep. Gerry Pollet (D-46).