SEPTEMBER 2025

Happy September!

We are overjoyed to know that you care about ensuring our government is for the people and by the people. No one group can hold government bodies accountable to their intended purpose without help, but the people can make their power known by keeping watch. Adequate watching requires transparency. This newsletter offers a glimpse of what's been happening with open government in Washington lately.  Read it, share it, get inspired and come help us make things better. We can't do it without you. 

Executive Director’s Message

It seems summer barely arrived before fall started knocking at the door. 

I’ve been told that in the past, the Washington Coalition for Open Government had rather sleepy summers, even canceling a monthly board meeting at the height of the season to give our all-volunteer board a break. Those days are over. The dog days of summer have been both hot and active.

It is now the seventh month since Gov. Bob Ferguson told state agencies to stop the weekly auto-deletion of internal electronic messages while he reviewed what should happen next. The order was announced on Feb. 17, following a settlement against the Department of Children, Youth & Families over destruction of records. The governor, who is the former state attorney general, said he would review the matter and present a decision in six months.

He didn’t give a specific date, but the people of Washington are waiting and watching.  

WashCOG is more focused and active on social media as we strive for more effective outreach. The coalition has long been on social media, with several accounts. But we have struggled to keep all accounts active with volunteers.

So we've adopted a new strategy.

OLYMPIA — The Washington Coalition for Open Government is appalled at the new state House of Representatives’ policy allowing legislators to immediately delete a growing number of emails and auto-delete many more after 30 days.

The Washington Coalition for Open Government would like to visit with your organization to talk about secrecy creeping into the halls of government. 

WashCOG has been fighting to preserve your right to know while legislative leaders claim they have no obligation to keep you informed. What is the Washington Legislature trying to hide? 

WashCOG wants to help everyone understand what is at stake. 

The Washington Coalition for Open Government is run by an all-volunteer board and others who dedicate many hours of time and service to the cause of government transparency. Our coalition relies on help from lawyers, journalists, accountants, professors, business people - even (and especially!) elected officials who believe government work is meant to be for the people and should be done in full view. We run on people power and donated funds. If you could help with either of those, please reach out. Email info@washcog.org for more information. If you have funds you could donate to the cause, we have a button you can click right here to make that happen.

Thank you for being a vital part of the transparency community. Your care and concern for a responsible and transparent government that serves the people is vital to the health of our state and nation.

We have power in numbers, and together, we can Shine the Light. 

Our Contact Information

*Washington Coalition for Open Government*

*PO Box 2633 Redmond, WA 98073*

*(206) 782-0393*

*washcog.org*