WashCOG newsletter: 2026 Legislative session begins; honors for transparency; social media sample; and more news

January 2026 —

Legislature opens.

Washington’s legislators convene on Jan. 12, and our Olympia Watch will provide a weekly report on legislation we’re tracking related to government access and accountability. We encourage you to contact your legislators as items of interest come up. Here’s our first report.

Sunshine Breakfast and awards.

Save the date for our annual Sunshine Breakfast, which will take place March 13, 2026. WashCOG will present a number of awards recognizing efforts by activists, journalists and even lawmakers who work to shine the light.

Newspapers applaud Pollet.

State Rep. Gerry Pollet, a longtime WashCOG board member, was presented with the Freedom’s Light Award by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association recently. The award recognizes his efforts to defend the First Amendment and promote government transparency.

Courts update.

Two legal challenges to the state legislature’s redefinition of “legislative privilege” to withhold public records have made it to the District 2 Court of Appeals. The appellate court has heard a lawsuit brought by Arthur West, and will hear another brought by Jamie Nixon and the Washington Coalition for Open Government in January.

PRA Model rules.

The attorney general’s office is still assembling guidelines for Washington agencies to handle public records requests. WashCOG weighed in.

See you on social!

Check out our lively Facebook posts. You can also interact with WashCOG on a handful of other social media services.

Check out our January 2026 newsletter, and sign up for future newsletters here!